Happy Science bridges East and West with its Intercontinental Happiness Revolution
Inspirational new film Immortal Hero is based on the true story of the spiritual leader's near-death experience
(This story is sponsored by HS Productions.)
Ryuho Okawa was studying finance and working for a Tokyo-based trading firm in 1981 when the true purpose of his life became clear to him: to spread happiness. Five years later, he renounced a promising career in business to launch Happy Science.
Japan’s fastest growing and most influential spiritual movement, it has gone on to attract more than 12 million followers around the world. Now, the organization is bringing its mission to unite religions and cultures to live in harmony to Western Canada with a new inspirational film.
Immortal Hero—which opens in Vancouver on October 18—is based on the true story of a near-death experience Okawa had in 2004.
In the film, the founder and CEO of Happy Science is portrayed as a successful writer named Makoto Mioya (played by Hisaaki Takeuchi) who beats the odds by recovering from a fatal heart condition. Having been visited by powerful spiritual beings throughout his adult life, Makoto is reminded by those otherworldly figures at his hospital bed that he can cure himself with the power of his own mind.
Just as Okawa did, Makato emerges from the visitation transformed and as an enlightened teacher. He promises to use his second chance at life to share his message of love and peace to the world and to as many people as possible.
“What happened to Master Okawa in May 2004 was a miracle in modern days,” Takeuchi says in an interview with the Georgia Straight. “As the film portrays, Master Okawa determined himself that ‘I will not die because I still have a mission to do.’”
That mission has unfolded in multiple ways. Okawa has given over 3,000 lectures and produced more than 2,500 books, many of which have consistently ranked in the annual bestsellers list in Japan. Combined, they have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and have been published in 31 languages.
He also is the founder of Happy Science University, Happy Science Academy (a junior and high school), Happiness Realization Party (political party), and more. Happy Science has also created 17 award-winning feature-length films.
Taking on the role of Makoto in Immortal Hero was a challenge for Takeuchi, but not in conventional ways that other performers might experience. Rather, Takeuchi admits he is a devoted believer in Happy Science and not an actor.
“In playing as lead actor in this movie, I pledged to act as a religious person,” Takeuchi says. “I pledged myself to face God as a religious person and to lay down my life for this acting.”
With that kind of conviction, Immortal Hero is sure to spread the Happy Science message of harmony across different cultures and religions.
Happy Science is based on four tenets: love (without expecting anything in return), wisdom (distinguishing good and evil by learning the laws of the mind and gaining spiritual knowledge), self-reflection (purifying the mind and correcting negative thoughts and actions) and progress. That last fundamental teaching involves making concrete efforts to create a happy society while improving one’s own character.
“I cannot put in words how thankful I am that we can show the world the truth that has occurred to Master Okawa through the story of Makoto Mioya,” Takeuchi says. “I am proud to say that we might be able to show people around the world one part of God.”
As Happy Science continues to gain traction, the team wanted to share the film with North American audiences to further expand its unifying reach.
“We encounter sufferings and difficulties in our lives,” Takeuchi says. “In particular, most people are unable to overcome middle-age despair such as illness, separation from family, bankruptcy, or demotion. But there is a hope. With the power of mind and the power of belief, we can find hope in life. And God exists. The God of Love always watches over us.”
Directed by filmmaker Hiroshi Akabane, Immortal Hero has earned 23 awards from six countries to date, including Best Director of a Foreign Language Feature Film at Madrid International Film Festival. It was also chosen as Official Selection in Narrative Feature category at the 2019 San Diego International Film Festival.
Immortal Hero opens October 18 at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas. For more information, visit immortal-hero.com.
