Episode 38: The Seastar of Questing for Beauty & Documentary Film Making; Cris Saur
Documentary Film Maker & Quest Adventuress
Cris Saur was in college studying to become a civil engineer when she was scouted to be a model. Cris became a successful Brazilian model and while on the outside it seemed the tables had turned for this shooting star who was bullied in school for being taller and skinnier than the rest of the girls, like most models are, something was not right. The pressure to be perfect for decades left her with very low self-esteem and she only realized how damaged her self-esteem actually was after being physically abused by a former partner. The depression that ensued pushed her to her limit and it was only after seeing Forest Gump, did she feel a call to action to make a change in her own life. Ironically, Mel Rose had her own Forest Gump moment and could relate intensely when they first discussed Cris' story. It has become clear that much of Cris' story seems to ring true for many women who have experienced the lifestyle of being a professional model. Abusive work will often perpetuate abuse in other area's of a person's life and this is why career is so important! Cris decided to do something about it and realized that the distorted ideas of beauty in our society deserved a quest. Cris sold her car, grabbed a camera, and traveled around the world on a quest for how different cultures define beauty. Cris found that it is often when we stop moving and sit very still and learn to think and act differently, only then do we really find the change and beauty in life that we crave. Through her journey and content creation, Cris produced an amazing documentary; Quest for Beauty, which you can find here. She premiered during covid. The proceeds benefited a women's shelter since her film was prompted by her own battle with domestic abuse. Cris is amazing and doing big things in live, so take note, dig in and get inspired by this amazing woman!
On this episode Mel and Cris discuss Cris' journey and the gratefulness she has for naivety to even try creating a film, her process in becoming a now professional film director, producer and star, and reflecting on the emotional place that she has arrived to in her life now. They discuss the concept the world being a large array of people either running away or running towards something and the importance of knowing where you are on that spectrum and what you want. Tune in for some really amazing ideas and to be inspired by another amazing Seastar who is on a mission to change the world in her own authentic way.
Cris recommends reading the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and Planetary Transiton by Divaldo Pereira Franco and Manoel Philomeno de Miranda. If you are interested in film she recommends Save the Cat, Making Movies by Sidney Lumet, Guide to Film Distribution, Documentary Storytelling, How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck, and Shut Up and Shoot. Try using Overdrive to read for free. All you need is a library card which you can get for free! Write down and download all the book recommendations in this podcast for continued listening and exploration of this topic and expansion.
