Belief  Press  Notes   1  

Table  of  Contents:      §  Page  3:  Belief  Press  Release    §  Page  8:  Belief  Narra8ve    §  Page  11:  Belief  Fun  Facts    §  Page  12:  Belief  Overview  Chart    §  Page  14:  Belief  Bios    §  Page  18:  Belief  Credits    

For  more  informa8on  contact:        Joey  Levine  Joey_Levine@own.tv,  323.602.5629    Jessica  Boyer  Jessica_Boyer@own.tv,  323.602.5624  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2015

OPRAH WINFREY PRESENTS LANDMARK SEVEN-NIGHT TELEVISION EVENT

“BELIEF” PREMIERING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 ON OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

For Seven Consecutive Nights, Documentary Series Explores Beliefs Around the World and Humankind’s Ongoing Search for Meaning and Connection

Photo Courtesy of Harpo, Inc.

To download high-res image: https://owncomm.box.com/s/8gxo80vrxe1q4bzwqyitjx5gvx08mwsh Los Angeles – This fall, Oprah Winfrey presents the landmark television event “Belief,” a week-long documentary series airing over seven consecutive nights that depicts how people with a wide range of beliefs search for deeper meaning and connection with the world around them. Through vivid, emotional storytelling and cinematic visual imagery, “Belief” illuminates the best of faith and spiritual practices from around the world – the rituals, stories and relationships that bind us all together as human beings. The series will premiere on Sunday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. “For the past three years, my team and I have been working to find the most compelling and thoughtful stories of faith, love and devotion from around the world,” said Oprah Winfrey. “This truly has been my heart’s work, to be able to share stories like these that reflect our world and explore humankind’s ongoing search to connect with something greater than ourselves.” Click here for a sneak peek of “Belief” (with embed code): www.oprah.com/seebelief To join the conversation on social, use #Belief and @OWNTV. Episode descriptions below. All episodes air at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

 

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Sunday, October 18 *PREMIERE “Belief: The Seekers” Witness stories from around the world united by one of the most basic human needs – a desire to find purpose and meaning in our lives. First, 19-year-old Cha Cha, a devout evangelical Christian college student, hopes to reconnect with her faith after a recent trauma has shaken her to the core. Next, Reshma Thakkar, a young Indian-American Hindu woman from Chicago, travels to the banks of the Ganges River in India for the Kumbh Mela, joining millions at the world’s largest spiritual gathering. Meanwhile, in Budapest, Hungary, 13-year-old Mendel Hurwitz prepares for his Bar Mitzvah, the Jewish transformation from adolescence to adulthood. Mendel’s synagogue in Budapest once faced extinction, and this tiny population of Jews are struggling to keep their culture alive. In the final story, Terry Gandadila, an Aboriginal elder in Australia who is nearing death, passes on the wisdom and knowledge of his tribe to his grandson. Together, they walk the songline, an ancient roadmap that the tribe believes reveals how the world was created and how to live life in accordance with their ancestor spirits. Monday, October 19 “Belief: Love’s Story” Journey around the world in search of what it means to love one another. First, in western Pennsylvania, Ian and Larissa Murphy are two evangelical Christians who fell in love during college. Ten months into their relationship, Ian suffered a traumatic brain injury, dramatically changing their relationship while also showing them what it means to love unconditionally. Next, we meet Rena Greenberg and Yermi Udkoff of Brooklyn, New York as they prepare to marry in the Hasidic faith, which believes every person is born with one half of a soul, and only through marriage can the two souls reunite with each other. On the other side of the world, former professional skateboarder Jordan Richter from northern California is embarking on the Hajj, a pilgrimage that is one of the five tenets of his adopted religion, Islam. By joining millions of pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Jordan hopes to make peace with his past and cement a promising future. Finally, two leaders in Nigeria who were former enemies 20 years ago, Christian Pastor James Wuye and Muslim Imam Muhammad Ashafa, come together to reconcile and to honor one of the most sacred teachings at the heart of both their faiths: love your enemies. Tuesday, October 20 “Belief: Acts of Faith” Our beliefs can be a powerful guiding force to endure and overcome in some of the most difficult situations. In this episode, everyone faces a challenge to overcome, and they find their source of strength in a variety of different ways. In Topeka, Kansas, Judi Bergquist visits her son’s killer in prison with the hope that the act of forgiveness will help them both move forward with their lives. Next, under the blue Guanajuato, Mexico sky, Enedina Cuellar Pacheco-Ramirez is riding on horseback with Christ’s Cowboys in the hopes a miracle heals her son who suffered traumatic injuries in a tragic car accident. Together with thousands of riders, she makes the rigorous trek to the iconic 65-foot-tall statue of Cristo Rey. Finally, on the small Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, a young boy, Bebe, will act out a death-defying rite of passage into manhood. Bebe will bravely land dive off a giant wooden tower with just a tree vine tied around his ankles, participating in a sacred ritual that his tribe believes blesses the soil for a bountiful harvest. Wednesday, October 21 “Belief: A Change Is Gonna Come”

 

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Explore how our beliefs help us change. First, Anju, a young woman in central India, has committed to forgo all of life’s conveniences and permanently sever ties with her family in order to be initiated as a Jain nun. Anju must first pass three tests designed to challenge her commitment. Next, Howard Fallon and his daughter Shane arrive in the Nevada desert for Burning Man, an annual festival that provides an experiment in community art, self-expression and culminates in the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy. Howard and Shane are seeking to reconnect and heal after unimaginable personal loss. In another part of the American desert, Ashly Hines, a member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, prepares to participate in the Sunrise Ceremony, a spiritual ritual into womanhood. Finally, scientist Marcelo Gleiser stands at the foot of one of the most powerful telescopes in the world. He has journeyed to the heart of the Atacama Desert in Chile to look deep into space for clues as to how the universe was born and how it is changing over time. He finds the more he searches the universe, the more he must embrace the mystery of the unknown. Thursday, October 22 “Belief: God Help Us” When tragedy, illness or loss feel overwhelming and relief seem beyond our reach, many believers appeal to their faith for strength. First, Karen Cavanagh, a Catholic from Slingerlands, New York is called to the Sufi path as a way of healing from a traumatic brain injury. Karen travels to Konya, Turkey to combine her Catholic faith with the practice of becoming a Whirling Dervish, a group who worships through meditative dance. Next, in Lima, Peru, a teenager, Beto, prays to the Lord of Miracles, a painting of Christ on the cross that is revered throughout the country. Beto is selected to march in an annual procession honoring the icon, bringing pride to his family. Then, in Lebanon, 13-year-old Walid, a Syrian refugee whose family fled their home in war torn Syria, still finds a way to participate in Ramadan, the Islamic faith’s month of personal and spiritual reflection observed with fasting and prayer. Finally, in Indonesia, 19-year-old Buddhist monk Bodhi Cahyno believes meditation can help him find a source of inner strength after enduring a challenging childhood. Guided by his mentor and teacher, Bodhi travels to the holy site of Borobudur in Indonesia – the world’s largest Buddhist temple – to celebrate Vesak, an annual ritual that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Friday, October 23 “Belief: The Practice” For many people, committing to a spiritual life through study, practice and compassion reveals faith. First, Shi Yan Fei is a young Buddhist monk at the Shaolin Monastery in Dengfeng, China, who came to the monastery because of his passion for Kung Fu. While Shi Yan Fei has nearly mastered Kung Fu’s physical movements, he has encountered difficulty mastering the spiritual element. Next, 65-year-old John Davie is hoping to reconnect with his Catholic faith as he embarks on the “Way of Saint James,” a 500-mile trek through the countryside of France and Spain. For a thousand years, Christian pilgrims have walked the “Camino,” which culminates at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Then, Mohamed El Haskouri, a teenage boy in Morocco studies diligently to perfect his recitation of the 80,000 words of the Qur’an in an ancient art called Tajweed. Finally, two teenage girls in Israel, 18-year-old Jewish cellist Hagit and 17-year-old Muslim flutist Mais find common ground and friendship in their shared love of performing classical music with the Polyphony Orchestra. Saturday, October 24 “Belief: A Good Life” Explore how beliefs help us face the fear of death and the mystery of what happens after we

 

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die. In this episode, we witness how death can also be a powerful call to action – to embrace life and those we love. In the shadows of Mt. Everest, Lekshey Choedhar, a young Buddhist monk at the Pema Tsal Sakka Monastery, learns a valuable lesson about the fleeting nature of life. There, Buddhist monks make devotional works of art called sand mandalas, which they then destroy in a ritual that symbolizes the impermanence of existence. Next, atheist Alex Honnold walks the edge between life and death as a world-renowned free-solo climber. He faces his mortality and finds meaning in his life as he climbs — with no ropes or harnesses — up a towering cliff in the Moab desert in eastern Utah. Then Donna Winzenreid, a military wife and mother of three in Colorado Springs, Colorado who has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, fights for her life by holding on to her Methodist faith. Next, India is home to more than a billion people and one of the world’s largest religions, Hinduism. Once a year, on the first day of spring, Hindus from all walks of life unite to celebrate the festival of colors – Holi. Gopesh Goswami, a Hindu priest, celebrates Holi as an opportunity to set aside daily responsibilities and experience joy, togetherness and the essence of a good life. Finally, from a space shuttle orbiting Earth, astronaut Jeff Hoffman stares out at a pale blue dot suspended in the vast expanse of the universe. He describes it as a transcendent experience, an overwhelming feeling that human beings are all truly connected. ABOUT “BELIEF”: This groundbreaking original series invites viewers to witness some of the world’s most fascinating spiritual journeys through the eyes of the believers. Traveling to the far reaches of world, and to places cameras have rarely been, “Belief” searches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters. From the epic to the intimate, webbed throughout each hour are stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces, including: the largest peaceful gathering in the history of the world as a group of believers seek redemption along the banks of a holy river; a free climber on the side of a mountain who believes there is no greater power than just being present as he climbs without rope; inside the ceremonies of the past as a 21st century woman seeks to find a miracle cure using ancient ceremonial treatments; the quiet of the night as a culture seeks to hang on to its 50,000 year-old history by searching the stars for insight to share with future generations; and, a courtroom and prison where a grieving mother must grapple with forgiveness as she comes face-to-face with her son’s killer. These stories and others will all lead us to ask: “What do you believe?” “Belief” is co-produced by the award-winning production companies Harpo Studios and part2 pictures. Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Sheri Salata, Jon Sinclair, David Shadrack Smith, Greg Henry and Kim Woodard. ABOUT OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. For more information, please visit: www.oprah.com/own and press.discovery.com/us/own. ABOUT PART2 PICTURES:

 

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An independent production company, part2 pictures is focused on visually captivating and deeply affecting storytelling for TV, features and digital platforms. Since 2007, Brooklyn-based part2 pictures has created hundreds of hours of series, films, and specials for major US broadcasters and been honored with nine Emmy nominations, an IDA Award, and a Sundance Jury Prize. Led by Director and Executive Producer David Shadrack Smith, part2 delves into unexpected worlds through unique characters and innovative craft.

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CONTACT: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Joey Levine 323.602.5629 Joey_Levine@own.tv Jessica Boyer 323.602.5624 Jessica_Boyer@own.tv

 

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The Landmark Seven-Night Television Event Airing October 18-24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

“My confidence comes from knowing that there is a force, a power greater than

myself that I am a part of, and is also a part of me.” -Oprah Winfrey

Borne of the desire to share compelling first-person stories about the vastly different beliefs held by people around the world, BELIEF has been nearly three years in the making, with production spanning six continents as filmmakers traveled the globe to seek out and capture in visually-stunning photography the stories of the world’s faithful, all of whom ask the same big questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Is there something out there, greater than I am? BELIEF shares stories of everyday people from many faiths and beliefs and their deep connection and appreciation to the world around them. Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Atheism, Judaism, Buddhism and more, are represented with moving stories told in their own words by people living out their beliefs day by day. “For the past three years, my team and I have been working to find the most compelling and thoughtful stories of faith, love and devotion from around the world,” said Oprah Winfrey. “This truly has been my heart’s work, to be able to share stories like these that reflect our world and explore humankind’s ongoing search to connect with something greater than ourselves.” From Burning Man, to the banks of the Ganges in India for the world’s largest spiritual gathering, to the Whirling Dervishes of the Middle East, BELIEF takes viewers to the four corners of the world, where ordinary people everywhere are demonstrating their beliefs in their daily lives. Faith teaches us how to love, and for many, that love can transform lives. One thing that binds all of us together is that, despite differences in race, culture, geography and socio-economic position, everyone believes something. Whether it is belief in an afterlife or belief in no afterlife, belief in a deity or belief that there is no deity, we all have closely-held beliefs that inform how we live, work and lead our everyday lives. In embarking on this epic undertaking, the filmmakers behind BELIEF sought to capture faithful believers living out their faith, and discovered that no matter who you are or where you live, the culture you were born into sets you on a particular path of belief. For many of us, that path can change drastically over the course of our lives, but our first experiences of belief are given to us by those to whom we are born. Life itself is constant change, and what people believe can help them adapt, evolve and transform over their lifetime.

 

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Throughout the seven-hour television event narrated by Oprah Winfrey, viewers will witness stories of belief that are, at once, both wondrous and intimate. These are stories of remarkable faith, of forgiveness and redemption, of worship, and of celebration, and at the foundation of each story are people of the world living life guided by their own particular beliefs. Some are those seeking inspiration, insight and wisdom. Others are those asking for the help of a higher source to deal with earthly suffering, while others depict extreme devotion in search of divine grace. Executive Producer David Shadrack Smith notes, “We came to realize in filming all these amazingly personal stories of faith that it is tradition that defines us, ritual that grounds us, and love that drives us. This is true for people who hold vastly different beliefs.” In Galicia, Spain, Dr. John Davie has traveled from Australia to reignite his faith by walking “The Way of St. James,” a pilgrimage of some 500 miles to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Christendom’s St. James are said to be buried. In Alabama, 19-year-old Cha Cha attends a Christian retreat following an attack that has left her searching for solace and comfort. Across the globe in India, 30 year-old Chicagoan Reshma Thakkar participates in Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful gathering of people in one place, which brings together 70 million Hindus who come to bathe in the sacred Ganges River every three years. In Utah, 27 year-old free soloist climber Alex Honnold climbs monolithic rock formations towering hundreds of feet above the desert floor … with no ropes, no fear and no room for error. The self-proclaimed atheist feels that living in the moment – and on the edge – allows him to live life to the fullest. Walid, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, celebrates Ramadan with other Muslims, relying on the power of his new community and their shared beliefs to sustain him. Karen Cavanagh travels from New York to Konya, Turkey to join over a million fellow pilgrims who go there each year to pay their respects at the tomb of the great Sufi mystic, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi. There, she will practice her faith in a unique way, along with other “Whirling Dervishes.” In Indonesia, a young Buddhist monk named Bodhi Cahyono joins hundreds of other monks in celebrating Buddha’s birthday by releasing paper lanterns into the night sky to symbolize release from earthly suffering. In a Kansas prison, a convicted killer is visited by the mother of the man he killed; Judi Bergquist is seeking peace and healing through forgiveness, while the man being visited seeks spiritual redemption through remorse for his actions. Enedina Cuellar Pacheco-Ramirez, a devoted mother seeking a miracle for her son who suffered traumatic injuries in a tragic car accident, rides horseback for five days alongside the Christian cowboys who make an annual five-day trip to the massive statue of Christ atop a mountain in Central Mexico. Ian and Larissa Murphy demonstrate daily how the power of faith can strengthen love and triumph over adversity after a life-altering accident. And in war-torn Nigeria, Christian Pastor James Wuye and Muslim Imam Muhammad Ashafa, once sworn mortal enemies in the name of religion, have come together to work towards peace between the people of different faiths there. Looking back at his experience filming at Burning Man, executive producer Greg Henry said, “The biggest surprise was the power of the temple, a massive, pyramid-shaped structure which, over the course of the week was filled with photos, love letters and personal items of friends and family that had been lost. It became the spiritual center of the festival and then, on the final night of the event it was burnt to the ground. It was one of the most powerful spaces we’d ever been in, yet we can never return to it again.” After

 

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traveling to Turkey to film Sufi Whirling Dervishes, series director Eric Strauss remarked, “There’s something magical that happens when you watch the Whirling Dervishes turn. It’s like a moving meditation and you can see in their faces that the dervishes are truly somewhere else.” Numerous crews crisscrossed the globe to record the stories of the faithful. In India, series director Michael Davie was astounded by what he witnessed during the initiation of a Jain nun. He remarked, “My heart was in my throat as we filmed Anju, a young Jain, pluck every hair from her head before a crowd ten thousand strong.” Filming Shaolin Monks in August during China’s worst heat wave in 50 years, series director Peter Richardson noticed that “The monks barely broke a sweat, despite performing extreme martial arts in the heat – that is discipline.” In order to capture just how fast the monks are moving when performing Kung Fu, the crew used a special camera called The Phantom. It films in extreme slow motion, showing the incredible complexity of every movement, as well as the intensity the monks bring to every moment of their practice. In Central Mexico for the cabalgata, the annual multi-day pilgrimage on horseback, reminded Strauss that “Sacrifice and struggle are at the heart of any pilgrimage. What you put into your faith is in the end what you’ll get out of it.” He was particularly moved by the Ramirez family, who made the trek hoping for a miracle for their teenage son, who was crippled in an accident. “Witnessing the Ramirez family continue to move forward despite all the hardships in their life was one of the most inspiring examples of faith I’ve ever seen.” These stories, and many more, make up the fabric of the seven-night television event that is BELIEF. Ordinary people, some living through extraordinary circumstances, and what they believe, are celebrated in this visual feast of color, light, hope, perseverance, devotion, motion, stillness and reverence.

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BELIEF BY THE NUMBERS Below are some numeric highlights taken from the filming of “Belief”

3: Number of years spent working on Belief 6: The number of continents visited during filming 13: Types of production cameras used to film Belief 26: Number of local crews who helped the production teams on the ground 28: Number of stories and languages featured in the series 33: Number of sacred sites filmed around the world 65: Height in feet of Vanuatu tower (Hour 3) 70: Number of people – in millions – at the Kumbh Mela (Hour 1) OVER 800: Number of hours of footage filmed for the series 1,000: Height in feet of Alex Honnold's free climb up the side of a mountain with no ropes or harness (Hour 7) 3,000: Number of stars you can see with the naked eye in the Atacama desert (Hour 4) OVER 150,000: Number of miles flown during production                  

 

STORY DESCRIPTION STORY  LOCATIONS PEOPLE  FEATURED FAITH/CULTURE DATES

River  Baptism  Young  adults  attend  a  retreat  known  as  The  Ramp  to  awaken  

spirituality  and  connect  them  to  their  faithHamilton,  Alabama Cha  Cha Christian

Held  four  times  a  year,  once  per  season

Kumbh  Mela70  million  Hindus  gather  at  the  Kumbh  Mela,  the  world's  

largest  spiritual  gathering  on  the  banks  of  the  Ganges  River  

Allahabad,  India  (event  is  also  in  Haridwar,  Nasik  

and  Ujjain,  India)Reshma  Thakkar Hindu

Held  in  one  of  four  cities  every  three  years  (2013,  

2016,  etc.)

Bar  Mitzvah                                              Jewish  rite  of  passage  marking  the  transformation  from  

adolescence  to  adulthoodBudapest,  Hungary

Mendel  Hurwitz  &  family

JudaismTraditionally  held  around  a  

boy's  13th  birthday

Aboriginal  Dreamtime

An  Aboriginal  elder  pases  on  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  his  tribe  to  his  grandson  while  walking  the  songline,  an  ancient  roadmap  that  the  tribe  believes  reveals  how  the  world  was  created  and  how  to  live  life  in  accordance  with  

their  ancestor  spirits

AustraliaTerry  

Gandadila/GrandsonTraditional N/A

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Marriage  StoryA  Christian  couple  experiences  a  life-­‐changing  event  and  

shows  what  it  means  to  love  unconditionally  Western  Pennsylvania Ian  &  Larissa  Murphy Christian N/A

Hasidic  Wedding A    Jewish  couple  prepares  to  marry  in  the  Hasidic  faith Brooklyn,  New  YorkRena  Greenberg  &  

Yermi  UdkoffJudaism N/A

The  Hajj The  Hajj  is  a  pilgrimage  that  is  one  of  the  five  tenets  of  Islam Mecca,  Saudi  Arabia Jordan  Richter IslamPilgrimage  to  Mecca  on  the  last  month  of  the  Islamic  

calendar

Pastor  and  ImamTwo  leaders  who  were  former  enemies  come  together  to  

reconcile  and  honor  one  of  the  most  sacred  teachings  at  the  heart  of  both  of  their  faiths:  love  your  enemies

Nigeria,  AfricaPastor  James  Wue  /  

Muslim  Imam  Muhammad  Ashafa

Christian/Islam N/A

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Prison  RedemptionA  mother  visits  her  son's  killer  in  prison  with  the  hope  the  act  of  forgiveness  will  help  them  both  move  forward  with  

their  livesTopeka,  Kansas Judi  Bergquist Christian  N/A

Christ's  CowboysThousands  of  riders  on  horseback  make  the  rigorous  treck  to  

the  iconic  65-­‐foot-­‐tall  statue  of  Cristo  ReyGuanajuato,  Mexico

Enedina  Cuellar  Pacheco-­‐Ramirez

ChristianAnnually,  Good  Friday  and  

on  the  last  Sunday  of  October

Land  DivingTribe  members  act  out  a  death-­‐defying  rite  of  passage  into  manhood,  diving  off  a  giant  wooden  tower  the  tribe  believes  

blesses  the  soil  for  a  bountiful  harvest

Pentecost  Island,  South  Pacific

Bebe TraditionalAnnually  in  the  months  of  

April,  May,  or  June

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Jain  Initiation  

An  initiation  ceremony  in  which  a  woman  vows  to  give  up  life's  material  comforts  to  be  initiated  as  a  Jain  nun.    Jainism  is  a  belief  system  dedicated  to  spiritual  liberation  through  

the  practice  of  non-­‐violence

Central  India Anju Jain N/A

Sunrise  CeremonyMembers  of  the  Yavapai-­‐Apache  Nation  participate  in  a  rarely-­‐filmed  Sunrise  Ceremony,  a  spiritual  rite  of  passage  

into  womanhoodArizona  Desert Ashly  Hines  &  family

Yavapai-­‐Apache  Nation

Annually,  March  through  October

Burning  Man  A  spiritual  festival  that  provides  an  experiment  in  community  art,  self-­‐expression  and  culminates  in  the  ritual  burning  of  a  

large  wooden  effigy

Black  Rock  Desert,  Nevada

Howard  Fallon  /  Shane  Fallon

SecularAnnually  in  

August/September

Telescope  to  God  

A  scientist  stands  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  telescopes  in  the  world  to  look  deep  into  space  for  clues  as  to  how  the  universe  was  born  and  how  it  is  changing  over  

time

Atacama  Desert,  Chile Marcelo  Gleiser Secular N/A

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Sufi  /  Whirling  DervishWhirling  Dervish  is  a  form  of  Sufi  practice  focused  on  meditation  by  spinning  one's  body  in  a  circular  trance

Slingerlands,  NY  &  Konya,  Turkey

Karen  Cavanagh Sufiism  (Islam) Year-­‐round

Lord  of  Miracles

The  Lord  of  Miracles  is  an  annual  procession  where  people  in  Lima,  Peru  pray  to  a  painting  of  Christ  on  the  Cross,  honoring  the  icon  for  delivering  them  from  past  challenges  and  giving  

thanks  for  the  future

Lima,  Peru Beto  &  family ChristianAnnually,  October  18,  19  

and  28

RamadanRamadan  is  a  sacred  time  for  Muslims,  a  month  of  spiritual  and  personal  reflection,  observed  through  fasting  and  prayer

Lebanon Walid IslamAnnually,  the  ninth  month  of  the  Islamic  calendar  (June  

18-­‐July  17,  2015)

Buddha's  Birthday

Buddhist  monks  travel  to  the  holy  site  of  Borobudur,  the  world's  largest  Buddhist  temple,  to  celebrate  Vesak,  

commemorating  the  birth,  enlightenment  and  death  of  the  Buddha  through  meditation

 Indonesia Bodhi  Cahyno BuddhistAnnually,  once  a  year  during  the  full  moon  in  May  or  June

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Shaolin  MonkA  young  Buddhist  monk  with  a  passion  for  Kung  Fu  nearly  masters  the  physical  elements,  but  encouters  difficulty  

mastering  the  spiritual  elementDengfeng,  China Shi  Yan  Fei Buddhist N/A

12

BELIEF  Episode  BreakdownEPISODE  1  -­‐  THE  SEEKERS:  Airing  Sunday,  October  18  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  2  -­‐  LOVE'S  STORY:  Airing  Monday,  October  19  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  3  -­‐  ACTS  OF  FAITH:  Airing  Tuesday,  October  20  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  4  -­‐  A  CHANGE  IS  GONNA  COME:  Airing  Wednesday,  October  21  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  5  -­‐  GOD  HELP  US:  Airing  Thursday,  October  22  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  6  -­‐  THE  PRACTICE:  Airing  Friday,  October  23  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

The  Way  of  St.  James                          

The  Way  of  Saint  James  is  a  500-­‐mile  trek  through  the  countriside  of  France  and  Spain,  culminating  at  the  Cathedral  of  Santiago  de  Compostela  in  Galicia,  Spain,  which  houses  

the  shrine  of  the  apostle  of  Saint  James    

Galicia,  Spain   John  Davie Christian Year-­‐round

Voice  of  FaithA  Muslim  teenager  studies  diligently  to  perfect  his  recitation  of  the  80,000  words  of  the  Qur'an  in  an  ancient  art  called  

TajweedTangiers,  Morocco Mohamed  El  Haskouri Islam N/A

PolyphonyThe  Polyphony  Orchestra  unites  young  Israelis  of  different  religions  through  music,  with  the  intention  of  changing  the  

way  people  see  the  world,  and  eachother    Jerusalem,  Israel

Jewish  cellist  Hagit  &    Muslim  flutist  Mais

Judaism,  Islam Year-­‐round

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Sand  Mandala

At  the  Pema  Tsal  Sakka  Monastery,  Buddhist  monks  makes  a  devotional  work  of  art  called  a  sand  mandalas,  which  they  

then  destroy  in  a  ritual  that  symbolizes  the  impermanence  of  existence.

Nepal Lekshey  Choedhar Buddhist Year-­‐round

Life  on  the  Edge  A  free-­‐solo  climber  faces  his  mortality  and  finds  meaning  as  he  climbs  with  no  ropes  or  harnesses  up  a  towering  cliff

Utah,  USA Alex  Honnold Atheist N/A

Facing  Death  A  military  wife  with  stage  four  pancreatic  cancer  fights  for  

her  life  by  holding  on  to  her  Methodist  faithColorado  Springs,  

ColoradoDonna  Winzenreid  &  

familyChristian N/A

Holi  Hindus  from  all  walks  of  life  unite  to  celebrate  the  festival  of  

colors  –  HoliIndia Gopesh  Goswami Hindu

Once  a  year,  on  the  first  day  of  spring.    

Overview  Effect  From  a  space  shuttle  orbiting  Earth  an  astronaut  stares  out  at  a  pale  blue  dot  suspended  in  the  vast  expanse  of  the  

universeSpace Jeff  Hoffman Secular N/A

Pastor  and  ImamTwo  leaders  who  were  former  enemies  come  together  to  

reconcile  and  honor  one  of  the  most  sacred  teachings  at  the  heart  of  both  of  their  faiths:  love  your  enemies

Nigeria,  AfricaPastor  James  Wue  /  

Muslim  Imam  Muhammad  Ashafa

Christian/Islam N/A

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Prison  RedemptionA  mother  visits  her  son's  killer  in  prison  with  the  hope  the  act  of  forgiveness  will  help  them  both  move  forward  with  

their  livesTopeka,  Kansas Judi  Bergquist Christian  N/A

Christ's  CowboysThousands  of  riders  on  horseback  make  the  rigorous  treck  to  

the  iconic  65-­‐foot-­‐tall  statue  of  Cristo  ReyGuanajuato,  Mexico

Enedina  Cuellar  Pacheco

ChristianAnnually,  Good  Friday  and  

on  the  last  Sunday  of  October

Land  DivingTribe  members  act  out  a  death-­‐defying  rite  of  passage  into  manhood,  diving  off  a  giant  wooden  tower  the  tribe  believes  

blesses  the  soil  for  a  bountiful  harvest

Pentecost  Island,  South  Pacific

Bebe TraditionalAnnually  in  the  months  of  

April,  May,  or  June

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Jain  Initiation  

An  initiation  ceremony  in  which  a  woman  vows  to  give  up  life's  material  comforts  to  be  initiated  as  a  Jain  nun.    Jainism  is  a  belief  system  dedicated  to  spiritual  liberation  through  

the  practice  of  non-­‐violence

Central  India Anju Jain N/A

Sunrise  CeremonyMembers  of  the  Yavapai-­‐Apache  Nation  participate  in  a  rarely-­‐filmed  Sunrise  Ceremony,  a  spiritual  rite  of  passage  

into  womanhoodArizona  Desert Ashly  Hines  &  family

Yavapai-­‐Apache  Nation

Annually,  March  through  October

Burning  Man  A  spiritual  festival  that  provides  an  experiment  in  community  art,  self-­‐expression  and  culminates  in  the  ritual  burning  of  a  

large  wooden  effigy

Black  Rock  Desert,  Nevada

Howard  Fallon  /  Shane  Fallon

SecularAnnually  in  

August/September

Telescope  to  God  

A  scientist  stands  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  telescopes  in  the  world  to  look  deep  into  space  for  clues  as  to  how  the  universe  was  born  and  how  it  is  changing  over  

time

Atacama  Desert,  Chile Marcelo  Gleiser Secular N/A

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE TIMING

Sufi  /  Whirling  DervishWhirling  Dervish  is  a  form  of  Sufi  practice  focused  on  meditation  by  spinning  one's  body  in  a  circular  trance

Slingerlands,  NY  &  Konya,  Turkey

Karen  Cavanagh Sufiism  (Islam) Year-­‐round

Lord  of  Miracles

The  Lord  of  Miracles  is  an  annual  procession  where  people  in  Lima,  Peru  pray  to  a  painting  of  Christ  on  the  Cross,  honoring  the  icon  for  delivering  them  from  past  challenges  and  giving  

thanks  for  the  future

Lima,  Peru Beto  &  family ChristianAnnually,  October  18,  19  

and  28

RamadanRamadan  is  a  sacred  time  for  Muslims,  a  month  of  spiritual  and  personal  reflection,  observed  through  fasting  and  prayer

Lebanon Walid IslamAnnually,  the  ninth  month  of  the  Islamic  calendar  (June  

18-­‐July  17,  2015)

Buddha's  Birthday

Buddhist  monks  travel  to  the  holy  site  of  Borobudur,  the  world's  largest  Buddhist  temple,  to  celebrate  Vesak,  

commemorating  the  birth,  enlightenment  and  death  of  the  Buddha  through  meditation

 Indonesia Bodhi  Cahyno BuddhistAnnually,  once  a  year  during  the  full  moon  in  May  or  June

STORY INFO REGION NAME FAITH/CULTURE

Shaolin  MonkA  young  Buddhist  monk  with  a  passion  for  Kung  Fu  nearly  masters  the  physical  elements,  but  encouters  difficulty  

mastering  the  spiritual  elementDengfeng,  China Shi  Yan  Fei Buddhist N/A

13

EPISODE  3  -­‐  ACTS  OF  FAITH:  Airing  Tuesday,  October  20  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  4  -­‐  A  CHANGE  IS  GONNA  COME:  Airing  Wednesday,  October  21  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  5  -­‐  GOD  HELP  US:  Airing  Thursday,  October  22  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  6  -­‐  THE  PRACTICE:  Airing  Friday,  October  23  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

EPISODE  7  -­‐  A  GOOD  LIFE:  Airing  Saturday,  October  24  at  8  p.m.  ET/PT

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BIOGRAPHIES OPRAH WINFREY Executive Producer and Narrator Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer and actress. She has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired people today. As Chairman and CEO, she's guiding her successful cable network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and is the founder of O, The Oprah Magazine and Harpo Films. This December, Winfrey will be embarking on an unprecedented multi-city speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand, on the heels of her eight-city U.S. arena tour and transformational weekend in 2014. Winfrey is an Academy Award-nominated actress for her roll in “The Color Purple” and earned critical acclaim in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Most recently, she produced and acted in the Academy Award-winning film “Selma.” For 25 years, Winfrey was host of the award-winning talk show “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” One of the world’s leading philanthropists, Winfrey has long believed that education is the door to freedom. In April of 2014, Winfrey partnered with Starbucks to create the Teavana Oprah Chai tea, which is sold in Starbucks and Teavana stores across the U.S. and Canada. A donation from each purchase is made from Starbucks to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation to benefit educational opportunities for youth, which in turn provides funding to national charity organizations including Girls Inc., National CARES Mentoring Movement, Pathways to College and U.S. Dream Academy. In October 2015, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa will be graduating its fifth class. Winfrey established the school in 2007 to provide education for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Graduates of the school have continued on to higher education both in South Africa and at colleges and universities around the world.

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SHERI SALATA Executive Producer Sheri Salata is president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, along with Erik Logan, and together they spearhead the day-to-day operations for the award-winning network. Under their leadership, OWN has delivered consistent ratings momentum and was recently named one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Hollywood” by Fast Company.

While at OWN she has developed numerous popular original series including the Emmy Award-winning “Oprah’s Lifeclass” and “Super Soul Sunday,” as well as the Emmy-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning “Oprah’s Master Class” along with other acclaimed series such as “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s” and “Oprah: Where Are They Now?.” From 2006 through its finale in 2011 Salata served as executive producer of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” As a recognized leader in the entertainment industry, Salata was featured on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Most Powerful Women in Entertainment” list in 2013 and 2014. For the past three consecutive years, Salata has also been featured on the CableFAX 100, which profiles cable’s leaders, pioneers and influencers. JONATHAN SINCLAIR Executive Producer As executive vice president of programming and executive producer at Harpo Studios, Jonathan Sinclair is charged with the development and delivery of programming that reflects the vision and the legacy of Oprah Winfrey. Productions developed under Sinclair include the Emmy-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning “Oprah’s Master Class,” the Emmy Award-winning “Oprah’s Lifeclass,” the NAACP Image Award-winning “Iyanla: Fix My Life” and “Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes.” Sinclair was also part of the team that developed “The Dr. Oz Show” as well as “The Nate Berkus Show.” In addition, he helped develop and produce the primetime series “Oprah’s Big Give” and primetime specials including “Oprah’s Oscar Special” and “Christmas at the White House.” DAVID SHADRACK SMITH Executive Producer As founder of part2 pictures, David Shadrack Smith has created, directed and produced more than 150 hours of programming for numerous networks. His work has earned nine Emmy nominations, and the prestigious IDA Documentary award. He currently oversees part2’s entire slate of production, including “This Is Life with Lisa Ling” (CNN) which is entering its second season. Smith began his career as a cameraman and editor, working in China for seven years, before returning to the U.S. to work on the flagship National Geographic series “Explorer.” While at National Geographic, Smith produced and shot documentaries all over the world.

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He originated the acclaimed series “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN) and “Hard Time” (Nat Geo), and directed numerous programs including “Engineering Ground Zero” (Nova), “The Revolution” (History), “Dixie Mafia” (Discovery), “Afghan Warrior” (Nat Geo), “Light at the Edge of the World with Wade Davis” (Nat Geo) and “Operation Falcon” (Discovery). Smith served as executive producer on the Sundance feature films “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and “The Redemption of General Butt Naked,” as well as “An Honest Liar,” which premiered at Tribeca, and the acclaimed feature documentary “Bronx Obama.” KIM WOODARD Executive Producer Kim Woodard has served as executive producer on numerous television series, documentaries and movies since her first entertainment industry job as field producer for “Frontline” in 2000. Series include National Geographic Channel’s “Explorer,” “Border Wars,” “Brain Games,” “Lockdown,” “DogTown” and “Taboo.” Her television specials include “Inside Guantanamo” and “Saving the Titanic with Bob Ballard.”    Woodard’s most recent projects include The Weather Channel’s upcoming series “Three Scientists Walk Into a Bar,” A&E’s “Behind Bars: Rookie Year” and Food Network’s “Hungry Games.” GREG HENRY Executive Producer Greg Henry has spent more than 20 years making documentary films and unscripted television. He has produced, directed and executive produced more than a hundred and fifty hours of programming, including the hit A&E series “Behind Bars: Rookie Year,” the Food Network series “Hungry Games,” and the Animal Planet series “No Limits.” Additionally, Greg has served as Executive Producer on three feature documentaries: “The Redemption of General Butt Naked,” which won Best Cinematography at Sundance, as well as “An Honest Liar” and “Bronx Obama.” PETER RICHARDSON Director Peter Richardson's compelling documentary work has gained widespread recognition. His two feature documentaries “How to Die in Oregon” and “Clear Cut: The Story of Philomath, Oregon” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. “How to Die in Oregon,” went on to air on HBO and was awarded the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, an Emmy nomination for Best Documentary and the Center for Documentary Studies' Filmmaker Award. In addition to his directing work on “Belief,” Richardson has directed projects for Participant Media and Showtime.

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MICHAEL DAVIE Director As director of “National Geographic Explorer: Gorilla Murders,” Michael Davie received the Emmy award for investigative journalism in 2008. He has served in various capacities – director, writer and cinematographer – on the documentary films “The Choir,” “Assignment: Blue Nile” and “War Child,” as well as the TV series “Hard Time” and “Our America With Lisa Ling.” ERIC STRAUSS Director As director, cinematographer and producer of “The Redemption of General Butt Naked,” Eric Strauss won Sundance’s Cinematography Award and was nominated for the Jury Grand Prize as well as IFP’s 2011 Independent Spirit Award. He was a nominee for the International Documentary Association's award for best documentary. Strauss served as producer, director and cinematographer on the TV series “Hard Time” from 2009-2011, as well as "National Geographic Explorer" and has helped create programming that has aired on OWN, Discovery Channel, History Channel, and Channel 4 (UK).  

 

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CREDITS Series premiere: Sunday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Airdates: October 18-24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT each night Executive Producers: Oprah Winfrey Sheri Salata David Shadrack Smith Jonathan Sinclair Gregory Henry Kim Woodard Creative Director: David Shadrack Smith Directors: Michael Davie Eric Strauss Peter Richardson Cinematographers: Pete Hutchens Erin Harvey Rob Finch Narrator: Oprah Winfrey Original Music: Justin Melland Concept: Michael Davie Eric Strauss Produced by: Harpo Studios and part2 pictures Media Contacts: Jessica Boyer 323-602-5624 jessica_boyer@own.tv Joey Levine 323-602-5629 joey_levine@own.tv