1. What exactly is the Lazarus Phenomenon?

The term Lazarus Phenomenon comes from the medical profession based on a miracle performed by Jesus in raising Lazarus from the dead four days after his death. Doctors had begun to observe instances in which patients came back to life after being declared clinically dead, and thus the term “Lazarus Phenomenon.” It is technically considered “the delayed spontaneous return of intrinsic circulation after cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation”.

2. How common is this experience of dying and returning to life?

An estimated 8 million American adults according to a recent Gallup poll reportedly have had a Lazarus type experiences or what is now called a “near death experience”. This has spawned a renewed interest in the reality if any of life after death.

3. Does everyone experience the same thing or are there differences?

Many of course report seeing a bright light and a tunnel and departed loved ones. They are drawn toward a bright light and there is a sense of peace and tranquility. They are often offered the chance to return for the sake of those potentially left behind and there is usually a major change of life upon returning. This is generally what is experienced with minor variations. Others however report a very different view of what might be called a negative near death experience.

4. What is a negative Near Death Experience?

Instead of having a euphoric experience of peace and tranquility, there are those who report experiencing a dark and fearful environment that they seem never to be able to forget. Some even refer to this as having experienced hell. Though there are vast numbers of people who have actually had this kind of experience, the investigating community is slow to acknowledge them. This begs a religious question of the reality of heaven and hell. Regardless of personal prejudice it is important to deal with the reality of what people say they actually experience.

5. So what is the movie The Lazarus Phenomenon?

It is a film investigating the reality if any of life after death, featuring moving interviews with experts from the scientific, medical and the religious fields. It includes graphic and compelling testimonies of people who say they have seen the other side and have come back to tell their tale.

6. Can you tell us a bit about the experiences of some of the characters in the film?

In addition to input from doctors and scientists investigating the near death experience, the film presents the testimonies of two men who die and come back to tell what they have seen. Firstly an Africa Pastor, Daniel Ekechukwu dies in an automobile accident in Nigeria and returns after four days to tell of his experience. Secondly, Ian McCormack a young surfer from New Zealand, returns after being stung by the box jellyfish one of the deadliest venoms known to man.

7. How have people reacted to seeing this unusual film?

It usually causes people to think very deeply about their lives. It many places around the world people leave theatres very moved considering the experiences of others who say they experienced the afterlife. Keep in mind that the question of what happens when we die is at some point on everyone’s mind. The film provides a pictorial and emotional exploration of this issue without having to actually experience the event first hand.

8. What do the scientific and medical communities have to say about life after death?

Of course there are many and varied views about the reality of life after death amongst scientists and doctors. Some believe that what patients say they experience beyond death is really due to a release of chemicals by the body to counter the shock of death. That belief has been widely challenged in view of the coherency and broad similarities of what many people say they experience versus the unpredictable possibilities of reactions different people can have to drugs. There are even a few ‘silver bullet’ cases in which patients relate details following their death that they undeniably could not have known. In one case a woman reports seeing a particular shoe on the roof of the hospital after leaving her body that is later corroborated to be true. There are those who will now say that it stands as scientific fact, not opinion, that there is life beyond death. What it means, they feel, is up to others to define.

9. How did this film come about? How was it developed?

The Lazarus Phenomenon is the brainchild of Johan Sturm, a South African property developer. Johan had been interested in the topic for a long time and a few years ago decided to investigate the topic further and subsequently created the film over a period of 4 years or so. It was produced in South Africa with filming in various part of the world and was released in July of 2003 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then it has been shown on most continents of the world.

10. How did you get involved and just what does it mean to you to speak about this?

I am American who was living in South Africa at the time. I was looking for opportunities as a motivational speaker when I had a chance meeting with the director of the film Regardt Vandebergh. Regardt felt that I had what he felt was needed to be the host and narrator of the film and the rest is history. I became more interested in the film after its release than before. The questions of what happens when we die and whether or not there is life after death are on everyone’s mind at some point in our lives. With all the major disasters that we see in the world today people are in some way thinking about these issues. We simply present the experiences of a few people to give the rest of us a way of thinking about this and perhaps prod others into investigating the possibilities for themselves.

		The Lazarus Phenomenon An exciting and thought-provoking film which seriously explores the question: is there actually life after death. Don't miss this one! Learn more!
		Lazarus Phenomenon DVD