What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? [2004] (Official Soundtrack)

(Opening Notes by FlowerJewel)

I had the pleasure to see this film at the recommendation of my boyfriend. He said this one would be RIGHT up my alley, and he could not have been more spot-on. We watched it, and I was moved beyond words, because I saw so much of myself in this movie, as well as by the fact that even its score was by musicians I hold in highest regard.

What The Bleep Do We Know, blends so many of my great loves all into one masterpiece; storyline, science and philosophy, stunning visuals, and a stellar soundtrack that fits so perfectly with the themes presented therein. I must say that this ranks up there with the "greats" in my book. A truly thought-provoking work with incredible thematic and cinematic elements, and a life-changing experience, literally. I highly recommend you open-mindedly watch this (get to your local Blockbuster or wherever you rent videos), and download the accompanying soundtrack HERE. No doubt it will at least make you think about your place in the Universe, and you may find yourself with more questions than answers by the end, but you will NOT be disappointed by it in the slightest.

Film History:

Originally released in February 2004 in one theater in Yelm, Washington, What the BLEEP Do We Know!? went on to become the fifth highest grossing documentary in the United States, with ticket sales of $12 Million.

Shunned by all movie distributors, the producers set about distributing and marketing the movie themselves in a “proof of concept” strategy to show theater owners there was indeed a market for spiritually oriented films that catered to audiences’ intelligence, not their lowest common denominator.

Although rejected by every major film festival (Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, Cannes, etc...), What the BLEEP did get entered in five smaller festivals, and won in every one. This, along with the grass roots, word-of-mouth campaign, kept the film in theaters for weeks and months on end. After five months of surprising box office numbers, the film attracted the attention of Samuel Goldwyn Films, and the producers entered into a distribution deal. The word-of-mouth buzz continued and the film showed real staying power (it played in one theater in Phoenix for 40+ consecutive weeks).

Following its theatrical run, FOX picked up the DVD rights and released WTBDWK!? March 15, 2005. The DVD immediately shot to the top of Amazon’s best selling list, and was named Amazon’s #1 DVD surprise of the year. To date it has sold over a million copies.

International distribution soon followed. Currently the film is now theatrically distributed in over 35 countries worldwide.

A host of further developments followed. A series of conferences was held featuring the speakers from the film, along with other notable leaders in the consciousness arena. BLEEP study groups spontaneously arose around the country, then the world, with people who did not want to let the ideas put forth in the film die, and who wanted to investigate and discuss them with like minded explorers. Bleep Study Groups continue to be formed around the world.

Two books followed, a soundtrack CD and finally the ultimate What the BLEEP DVD – Down the Rabbit Hole, with two extended versions of the film, along with hours of additional interviews.

Called by the media “the little film that could,” and “the critic proof movie,” What the BLEEP Do We Know!? is considered the first break-out film in the genre of Spiritual Cinema, and continues to find a new audience to this day.

Synopsis:

Amanda (Marlee Matlin), a divorced photographer, finds herself in a fantastic Alice-in-Wonderland experience when her daily, uninspired life literally begins to unravel, revealing the cellular, molecular and even quantum worlds which lie beneath. Guided by a Greek Chorus of leading scientists and mystics, she finds that if reality itself is not questionable, her notion of it certainly is. Stunning special effects plunge you into a world where quantum uncertainty is demonstrated - where Amanda's neurological processes, and perceptual shifts are engaged and lived - where everything is alive, and reality is changed by every thought. This film gives voice to the modern day radical souls of science, making them the true heroes of our day as they conquer and map the greatest uncharted territory yet - man's consciousness itself.

Filmed on location in Portland, Oregon, What the Bleep Do We Know (according to the makers "Bleep" is a bowdlerization of "fuck" — William Arntz has referred to the film as "WTFDWK" in a message to Bleeps' "Street Team") blends a fictional story line, documentary-style discussion, and computer animation to present a view of the physical universe and human life within it, with purported connections to neuroscience and quantum physics. Some ideas discussed in the film are:

--The universe is best seen as constructed from thought (or ideas) rather than from substance (idealism)...

--What has long been considered "empty space" is anything but empty (vacuum energy)...

--Our beliefs about who we are and what is real are not simply observations, but rather form ourselves and our realities (solipsism)...

--Peptides manufactured in the brain can cause a bodily reaction to an emotion, resulting in a new perspective to old adages such as "think positively" and "be careful what you wish for."

In the fictional part, Amanda, a deaf photographer (played by Marlee Matlin) acts as the viewer's avatar as she experiences her life from startlingly new and different perspectives.

In the documentary part of the film, a number of purported scientific experts in quantum physics, biology, medicine, psychiatry, and theology discuss the roots and meaning of Amanda's experiences. However, viewers are not told the credentials of the experts until the credits at the end of the film. The comments of the scientific experts converge on a single theme: "We all create our own reality." Although not widely held by the scientific community, this point of view correlates with the subjective experience. Authors arguing related viewpoints include Jane Roberts (the Seth books), Richard Bach (Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Illusions), the writings of Abraham-Hicks, and of Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Dr. David R. Hawkins.



The Soundtrack/Score:

This two-CD new release features a collection of individual tracks from the film’s composer, Christopher Franke, as well as the film’s ambient artists Jonn Serrie, Patrick O’Hearn, and Michael Whalen. Also featured is music from LA indie, Aeon Spoke, and the John Digweed-fronted UK act, Bedrock.

From Disk One’s up-beat mix, to Disk Two’s relaxing 20-minute meditative sequence by Christopher Franke and ambient artist Jonn Serrie, plus inspirational spoken word vignettes from the movie put to Franke’s music, the soundtrack from What the BLEEP!? never fails to surprise and please. Filmmakers Will Arntz, Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente all contributed musical ideas for this album in co-creation with the film’s Musical Director and Executive Album Producer, Tim Bomba.

(For a complete cast and credits listing, please visit IMDB)

Sources Cited:

What The Bleep Do We Know Official Site, IMDB, Wikipedia,

(for both the film AND the score!)

Major Credits (For Film):

Actors:
- Marlee Matlin (Amanda)
- Barry Newman (Frank)
- Elaine Hendrix (Jennifer)
- Armin Shimerman (Old Man)
- Robert Bailey, Jr. (Reggie)

Directed by
- William Arntz
- Betsy Chasse
- Mark Vicente

Writing credits:
(in alphabetical order)
- William Arntz
- Betsy Chasse
- Matthew Hoffman
- Mark Vicente


SOUNDTRACK:

Tracklisting:
Disc One:
1. Fluid Motions - Christopher Franke (3:20)
2. Emmanuel - Aeon Spoke (3:32)
3. Beautiful Strange - Bedrock (6:15)
4. Beyond Mystery - Christopher Franke (2:27)
5. Obsession - Animotion (4:35)
6. Forgiveness - Patrick O'Hearn (3:07)
7. Tingri Maiden - Jonn Serrie (9:11)
8. A Sea of Ecstasy - Michael Whalen (6:26)
9. What the BLEEP - Elaine Hendrix (3:16)
10. Circle the Sun - Christopher Franke (3:13)

Disc 1 Total Time: 45:22

Disc Two:
Meditation Tracks:
1. Hidden World Beyond - Jonn Serrie (3:09)
2. The White Crystal - Christopher Franke (2:08)
3. Eternal Source - Christopher Franke (2:19)
4. Amber Waves - Christopher Franke (3:27)
5. Tingri Maiden - Jonn Serrie (9:14)

Spoken Word Tracks (Christopher Franke):
6.Your Thoughts Create Your Destiny (6:30)
7. Possibilities (6:10)
8. Choices (6:19)
9. God (5:21)
10. Be in the Mystery (5:22)

Disc 2 Total Time: 49:59

Stay Tuned For More!!!!