Universal is an experimental documentary that explores the role of three organizations in the city of Buenos Aires that provide support for people in emotional, economical and/or psychological distress. Within these organizations, intense emotional catharsis are mixed with pseudo-rituals, masked preaching, and choreographed devotion.
Gaucho 2000 was a company selling services of personal development, motivation and coaching to business professionals with high incomes, such as lawyers, stockbrokers, and CEOs trying to become “a better person”.
La iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios (The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God), is an evangelist institution with more than 4.700 temples in 172 countries and a 24-hour TV show. Low-income families are the main contributors to this church with an annual gross income of 735 millions dollars.
Esas locas ganas de quitarte la vida (That crazy desire of taking your own life) was a group therapy at a public hospital for people suffering from severe depression. The group shared deeply personal stories of emotional and psychological distress.