We Are Nature

We Are Nature tells the riveting story of Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria's journey from suicidal despair to being a 4-time Grammy® nominated recording artist. As a young boy suffering from surgery trauma and a near death experience he found the healing power of music, and later the healing power of nature after suffering from compassion fatigue and PTSD from his work as a child protection team psychologist.

  • Michael Brant DeMaria
    Director
    The Cliff
  • Chris Jadallah
    Director
  • Michael Brant DeMaria
    Writer
    The Cliff
  • Chris Jadallah
    Writer
  • Tyler Simmons
    Producer
  • Michael Brant DeMaria
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Sierra Hobbs
    Production Assistant
  • Sean Peterson
    Sound
  • Chris Jadallah
    Director of Photography
  • Blake Baylor
    Grip
  • Austin Owens
    Grip
  • Nick Gray
    Editor
  • Leah Holcomb
    Makeup Artist
  • David Cooke
    Second Camera
  • Michael Brant DeMaria
    Music
    The Cliff
  • Michael Brant DeMaria
    Executive Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 12, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    17,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael Brant DeMaria, Chris Jadallah

Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria’s life turned inside out and upside down after the first decade of his work as a clinical psychologist when he underwent a life transforming vision quest (lament in the wild) without food or water, guided by a native elder. He went there suffering compassion fatigue, burnout and despair after working for years with over 2000 cases of severe child abuse and neglect. The experience provided a profound healing, a course correction and a vision for his life, while also reconnecting him to his first loves - music, nature and visual storytelling. Ever since his mission has been guiding others to, “The ocean of peace that lies within each human heart.” He does this through his work as a sound healer, wisdom teacher and artist employing the creative mediums of music, writing and film. His healing music is heard over a million times a week around the world, garnering him four Grammy® nominations, 8 ZMR awards, 6 #1 albums, a Native American Music Award and appearing on the Grammy® Winning album, All About Bullies Big and Small. He is also a Sounds True recording artist with his music being featured on projects with Eckhart Tolle, Mark Nepo, Peter Kater and Noah Levine. He is the author of 5 books (including 2 books of poetry) and is the creator of the book and free online program Peace Within: Calm your mind, open your heart, embrace your soul and heal your life. After retiring his practice he finally fulfilled his childhood dream of attending film school in LA in 2019. You can find more about his work at www.michaeldemaria.com

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Director Statement

We are living in a great time of crisis in nature and culture today, and we need new stories to heal us and guide is into a healthier relationship with nature and each other. This is my mission as a filmmaker. We Are Nature tells the story behind my journey from childhood trauma and suicidal despair to becoming a 4-time Grammy® nominated recording artist through the healing power of nature, creativity and native spirituality. It is a deeply personal story and was a labor of love to tell.

We have an epidemic of suicide around the planet today. Over a million people commit suicide globally each year. We Are Nature is our small attempt to begin a dialogue about this serious challenge. It's been important to me to share my journey from despair to hope through the healing power of expression which is the opposite of depression. It is a reminder that creativity and nature heal. Thank you so much for considering our film.