film ResourceS.
The following films showcase cinematic approaches towards visualizing Egun and Orisa from Yorubaland in Nigeria to the African American ancestral experience, to Orisa worship throughout the OrisaIfa Diaspora.
Across the Kings River. 2017. http://www.acrossthekingsriver.com/ (Trailer: 00:05:58//)
Ancestral Voices 1: Esoteric African Knowledge. 2011. http://ancestralvoices.co.uk/films-books/ancestral-voices/ (Film: 01:13:00//)
Besauro (The Assailant). 2012. https://www.amazon.com/The-Assailant-Irandhir-Santos/dp/B0077TZWF0 (Film: 01:33:00//)
Daughters of the Dust. 1991. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104057/ (01:52:00//)
The Summer of Gods. 2014. http://www.thesummerofgods.com (Film: 00:20:57//)
Yemoja: Rise of the Orisha. 2016. http://www.riseoftheorisha.com/ (Trailer: 00:01:43//)
- Forthcoming documentary film about the quest back to Nigeria to experience Orisa and Ifa initiation.
- Trailer gives lens into full film, which is pending release, December 2018.
- Producer-co-director: James Weeks.
Ancestral Voices 1: Esoteric African Knowledge. 2011. http://ancestralvoices.co.uk/films-books/ancestral-voices/ (Film: 01:13:00//)
- First of a series of documentary films about the spiritual identity formation of African descent people across the globe. Excellent commentary on the importance of Black people reclaiming their indigenous spiritual identities. A must-see, must-have for the serious practitioner.
- Can purchase on Vimeo for $19.00 USD.
- Produced by Longbelly Films.
- Second installment in the Ancestral Voices film series. As of April 2017, the film is in post-production, with expected release date of Summer 2017. The link will take you to the film's webpage where you can view a trailer and further information on its pending release. Many are excited for this film's release.
- Produced by Longbelly Films.
Besauro (The Assailant). 2012. https://www.amazon.com/The-Assailant-Irandhir-Santos/dp/B0077TZWF0 (Film: 01:33:00//)
- Brazilian film about a young man's journey to his destiny. In Portuguese, this film does have English subtitles. The Orisa Eshu, Oshun, Oya, and Ogun are featured. Contemporary visual effects gives viewers a visuality of Orisa presence and experience. Capoeira is also an important aspect of the film's story.
- Available for purchase on iTunes ($9.99), YouTube ($12.99), and Amazon Prime Video ($9.99).
- Director: João Daniel Tikhomiroff | Producer: RT2A Produções Cinematográficas | Distribution: Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Assailant)
Daughters of the Dust. 1991. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104057/ (01:52:00//)
- Important film depicting one African American family in Gullah country, considering the cultural impacts of their desire to migrate to mainland U.S., at the turn of the 20th century.
- This film is considered a classic in African American film history for its soulful depiction of authentic African values passed on to descendants of slaves in America.
- Available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
- Writer-director: Julie Dash - her debut feature film.
- A teen girl is kidnapped and a priestess calls on Oya to save her. Working against evil forces, the warrior Orisha Oya seeks justice.
- This is a trailer of the full-length movie, which has not been released as of April 10, 2017.
- Trailer available on AllBlackMedia.com, YouTube, and Vimeo.
- Writer-Director-Producer: Nosa Igbinedion.
The Summer of Gods. 2014. http://www.thesummerofgods.com (Film: 00:20:57//)
- Film's description: "A young girl is mystically initiated into her ancestral spiritual tradition by Orishas during a visit to her grandmother’s rural village in Bahia, Brazil." - thesummerofgods.com
- Originally a graduate school thesis project, writer-director Eliciana Nascimento's work is a multiple award-winning short film, including the 2014 Cannes and African Film Festival, among others.
- Trailer, plus full film purchase/download, available on website.
- Writer-Director: Eliciana Nascimento.
Yemoja: Rise of the Orisha. 2016. http://www.riseoftheorisha.com/ (Trailer: 00:01:43//)
- Film's synopsis: "Amina, a young doctor, has her life thrown into turmoil when a politician’s son dies under her supervision. Things get more complicated when she is possessed by the goddess of the ocean, Yemoja. Now haunted by mystical visions, Amina must find a way to clear her name and save her sanity before it is too late."
-- riseoftheorisha.com - Trailer is available on website, for immediate viewing.
- Full movie is available for $9.99USD download as 6-part series.
- Writer-Director-Producer: Nosa Igbinedion.