A documentary shot on six continents, capturing a 10-year journey. With no crew, no corporate sponsors, and zero staging, this independent film offers an unvarnished look at human connection, solo adventure, and extreme exploration.

Discover the answers to the biggest questions we all ask, regardless of skin color, religion, or birthplace. From documenting Yanomami funerary rituals in the Amazon, living in the Darién Gap, and interviewing rebels in Mali, to traversing the Sahara and surviving Category 5 Cyclone Winston in Fiji—this film unites, uplifts, and restores faith that no matter how different we seem, we all share the same soul, pain, and joy.

This 10-year journey will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles you face at the present moment.

• Runtime: 60 Minutes

• Year: 2023

• 100% Ad-Free

FILM REVIEWS:

“This isn’t a Hollywood film with a big budget and a production crew. It’s an independent documentary made by one woman, completely alone. I kept asking myself, how the hell did she manage to film all this? Mali during the war? An endocannibalistic ritual with the Yanomami? Unreal. Yes, the filming quality could have been better. But think about it. Productions usually need entire crews, sponsors and studios to reach places like these. She went alone. What fascinated me was that some of the footage was actually filmed by the people she met. We enter their world, and for a moment, they enter ours. And throughout the film, people from completely different cultures answer the same questions we all ask ourselves about life. There’s drama, comedy, sadness and so much humanity. With a bigger crew and a proper production budget, this could have been an award contender. But perhaps that’s exactly the point. It’s imperfect and real. And that’s exactly what makes it so damn human. For once, the title says it all. This really is The Quintessence of Life.” - USA 

“This film touched my heart. So many different faces, places and stories, yet the emotions feel so raw. It made me smile, brought me to tears, and reminded me what really matters in life. Thank you, Elena, for opening up about your personal struggles and letting people see the real you. I recently lost my mom too, and watching those scenes with your mother was especially hard. I sobbed because I knew exactly how much pain was hiding behind your smile.” — South Africa

“What a remarkable journey. I loved how personal and honest this film feels. It reminds you how much beauty there is in the world, and how much we all have in common. Really moving.” - United Kingdom 

“Drawing on a decade of journeys across six continents, Levon’s documentary explores survival, cultural identity, compassion and the extraordinary resilience of ordinary people. Its perspective is especially relevant to audiences familiar with the complexities of cultural difference. Rather than presenting the world merely as a collection of destinations, the film asks viewers to consider the people whose lives give those places meaning.” - Russia 

“A beautiful and unusual documentary. What stayed with me most was the authenticity of the people and the simplicity of the moments. It made me think about my own life and choices long after film ended.” — Germany 

"This is such an amazing testimony to life and living. The smiles, beauty, wonder & wisdom in your film simply stun me. I stand in awe of how you were able to experience all these moments and somehow at the same time capture them to be shared. This is truly a gift to the world -- thank you! I look forward to following your continuing adventures over the next ten years and more...Namaste." - USA

Gifts:

• OPIUM DEN - Art Film
  Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.

• YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode

• “Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)

• Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018

IMPACT

“A portion of proceeds from my online store is dedicated to helping individuals, families and local communities in need in Africa and elsewhere — directly, personally, and whenever possible, from my hands to theirs.” - Elena Levon

Note:

A private access link and unique password will be sent to the email you provided. Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.

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