Breath of Fire (TV series)

Breath of Fire
GenreDocumentary
Directed by
  • Hayley Pappas
  • Smiley Stevens
Music bySarah Lipstate
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Hayley Pappas
  • Smiley Stevens
  • Matt Ippolito
  • Agnes Chu
  • Helen Estabrook
  • Sarah Amos
  • Lexy Altman
  • Sonia Slutsky
  • Jennifer O’Connell
  • Lizzie Fox
Cinematography
  • Cole Ellett
  • Adam Stone
Editors
  • Eric F. Martin
  • Adam Ridley
Running time51-64 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseOctober 23 (2024-10-23) –
November 13, 2024 (2024-11-13)

Breath of Fire is an American documentary series directed and produced by Hayley Pappas and Smiley Stevens. It follows the life and career of Guru Jagat, including the life of Yogi Bhajan (her spiritual teacher) who was accused of sexual abuse. Additionally, the series explores the history and origins of Kundalini yoga.

It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 12, 2024.[1][2] and premiered on October 23, 2024, on HBO.[3]

Premise

The series explores the life and career of Guru Jagat, a Kundalini yoga teacher, whose spiritual empire is faced with accusations of abuse. Additionally the series explores the origins and history of Kundalini.[3]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date [4]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode One"Hayley Pappas
Smiley Stevens		October 23, 2024 (2024-10-23)N/A
2"Episode Two"Hayley Pappas
Smiley Stevens		October 30, 2024 (2024-10-30)N/A
3"Episode Three"Hayley Pappas
Smiley Stevens		November 6, 2024 (2024-11-06)N/A
4"Episode Four"Hayley Pappas
Smiley Stevens		November 13, 2024 (2024-11-13)N/A

Production

In December 2021, it was announced HBO Max had greenlit a documentary series revolving around Guru Jagat, with Hayley Pappas and Smiley Stevens set to direct, based upon reporting from Vanity Fair who will also co-produce.[5]

Reception

John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal praised the series and its editing writing: "Breath of Fire” comes in four episodes that skip along briskly, a viewer being just as beguiled, or bewildered, by the rise and fall of Guru Jagat as they are by the gullibility of her followers."[6] Joel Keller of Decider.com suggested viewing the series writing: "Breath Of Fire takes its entire first episode to set up the controversies surrounding the Kundalini Yoga movement and its two best-known leaders, but even after slogging through that first episode, we still want to learn more."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Breath of Fire". Tribeca Festival. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Dunn, Jack (April 18, 2024). "Tribeca Festival Reveals TV and Now Lineup Including New Series With Issa Rae, Serena Williams and Jake Gyllenhaal". Variety. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "What's New On Max This October". Warner Bros. Discovery. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "Breath of Fire". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Pedersen, Erik (December 1, 2021). "'Breath Of Fire' Docuseries About Guru Jagat Set At HBO Max From Vanity Fair & SecondNature". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Anderson, John (October 22, 2024). "'Breath of Fire' Review: A Sham Spiritual Leader on HBO". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Keller, Joel (October 23, 2024). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Breath Of Fire' On HBO, About The Kundalini Yoga Industry And Its Controversial Young Leader". Decider. Retrieved October 23, 2024.