Film list

[adhiambo-born-in-the-evening--Film-image]
Adhiambo - Born in the Evening 2001 66'
    Directed by Ruth Prince Wenzel Geißler Ruth Tuchtenhagen .
‘Adhiambo’ means ‘the one born in the evening’ in the language of the Luo of western Kenya. The film follows NyaSeme, a married mother and grandmother in her late 30s, during the last month
East Africa Children / Young people Health / Health care / Healing
[atieno--Film-image]
Atieno 2018 64'
  Directed by June Ndinya Effie Awino Ruth Njoki Lavine Atieno Dorcas Akin .
Atieno is a collaborative fiction film scripted, acted and directed by DreamGirls, a group of adolescent girls and young women from Nairobi and Kisumu. The film tells of Atieno, a 16 year old girl
East Africa Health / Healthcare / Healing Children / Young people Gender Role and Identity Ethnofiction Dance / Theatre / Performance Participatory / Collaborative methods Sex / Sexuality
[born--Film-image]
Born 2008 56'
    Directed by Andy Lawrence Judith Kurutuac .
*Our hope is to create a magical-real environment in which to go beyond the limits of our historical perspective on childbirth and its culturally bound rites, and to demonstrate an emotionally
British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Family / Kinship Children / Young people
[breaking-the-chains--Film-image]
Breaking the Chains 2015 64'
    Student Directed by Erminia Colucci .
The practice of using shackles and chains to physically restrain people with mental illness (known as pasung) is widespread in Indonesia (as in many other developing/low middle income countries) and
South-East Asia Prison Health / Health care / Healing Political Activists Development projects
[cae-dai-a-home-from-home--Film-image]
Cae Dai - a Home From Home 1997 30'
    Directed by Will Grove-White .
After the closure of the North Wales psychiatric hospital in the late 1980s, Sparrow Harrison opened his family home to local people suffering from mental illness. This film explores the humour,
British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Alternative culture
[conversations-with-dundiwuy-wanambi--Film-image]
Conversations with Dundiwuy Wanambi 1984 50'
    Directed by Ian Dunlop Philippa Deveson .
A series of interviews with Dundiwuy Wanambi, shot over twelve years. They reveal the struggles of one man in the face of the huge changes brought about by the coming of a mining project, and
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Health / Health care / Healing Social Change
[the-daring-young-girl-on-the-flying-trapeze--Film-image]
The Daring Young Girl on the Flying Trapeze 2020 27'
  Directed by Nina Ross .
As a child, Nancy Willis dreamt of joining the circus, longing for freedom and adventure. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told she would not live beyond her twenties, the now 65-year-old artist
British-Irish Isles Art/ Artists/ Artisans Personal Narrative Health/ Health care/ Healing Life Story/ Life History
[the-day-the-sun-fell--Film-image]
The Day the Sun Fell 2015 78'
    Special Interest Directed by Aya Domenig .
Swiss-Japanese filmmaker Aya Domenig, the granddaughter of a doctor on duty for the Red Cross during the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, approaches the experience of her deceased grandfather by
South-East Asia History Memory Health / Health care / Healing War / Conflict / Reconciliation
[doctors-of-two-worlds--Film-image]
Doctors of Two Worlds 1989 55'
    Directed by Natasha Solomons .
In the Bolivian highlands an English doctor is setting up a network of health care for remote mountain villages. While teaching the inhabitants the essentials of Western medicine the doctor is
South America Health / Health care / Healing Informant-researcher relationship Development projects
[drugs-prayers--Film-image]
Drugs & Prayers 2009 55'
    Directed by Helene Basu .
The Sufi shrine of Mira Datar in North Gujarat is a large pilgrimage centre specialising in healing possession and mental illness. It has become a site of experimenting with new forms of community
South Asia Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Religion / Belief / Faith
[encountering-eloyi--Film-image]
Encountering Eloyi 2008 56'
    Directed by Richard Werbner .
Of all the faith-healing churches in Botswana, Eloyi is the most controversial. Sensational stories in newspapers and on television have made Eloyi notorious for so-called witch-busting and for
Southern Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Religion / Belief / Faith Reproduction (biology)
[fresh-fields--Film-image]
Fresh Fields 1995 31'
    Directed by Alistair Cook .
From conflict to construction — this is the story of two disabled ex-fighters rebuilding their lives. What does the future hold for them in Eritrea, the homeland to which they are committed?
North and Northeast Africa Health / Health care / Healing War / Conflict / Reconciliation Development projects
[the-guardian-of-the-forces--Film-image]
The Guardian of the Forces 1991 52'
    Directed by Anne Laure Folly .
'The Guardian of the Forces' introduces the viewer to the world of Sikavi, a ‘fetish priest’ in Lome, Togo. He controls the spirits of several voodoos or gods. The film explores the significance
West Africa Health / Health care / Healing Possession Ritual
[harmoni-healing-together--Film-image]
HARMONI: HEALING TOGETHER 2021 98'
  Directed by Erminia Colucci .
As a nation of 270 million, Indonesia is facing the grave task of caring for millions of people living with mental illness. Many have experienced human rights abuses in their lifetime. In communities
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith
[heal-the-whole-man--Film-image]
Heal the Whole Man 1974 50'
    Directed by Paul Robinson .
The ‘Barolong boo Ratshidi’ are one of the group of Tswana peoples, who together form a culturally homogeneous population of over two million. The Barolong themselves number about 75’000 and
Southern Africa Religion / Belief / Faith Health / Health care / Healing
[healer-on-the-street--Film-image]
Healer on the Street 2003 28'
    Directed by Joceny Pinhheiro .
During the day, Isnar is a community paramedic who works in the local clinic and runs an arts and drugs rehabilitation centre for young people in Fortaleza on the coast of Northeast Brazil. But by
South America Health / Health care / Healing Ritual
[hold-me-tight-let-me-go--Film-image]
Hold Me Tight Let Me Go 2007 99'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto .
*The main reason I wanted to shoot is that when the kids misbehave, the teachers don’t punish them but try to find out why they are acting in such a way. The driving idea behind the school is to
British-Irish Isles Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission Health / Health care / Healing
[a-hospice-in-amsterdam--Film-image]
A Hospice in Amsterdam 2005 62'
    Directed by Steef Meyknecht .
At the end of Van Goghstraat in Amsterdam is the Veerhuis. A normal residential house in a normal urban area, where children play outside in front of the door. But people come to the Veerhuis to die.
Western Europe Health / Health care / Healing Elderly people
[in-search-of-cool-ground-the-mursi-trilogy--Film-image]
In Search of Cool Ground: The Mursi Trilogy 1987 52'
    Directed by Leslie Woodhead .
This is a trilogy about aspects of the culture of two groups of people, the Kwegu and the Mursi, in Ethiopia. The titles are: THE MURSI , THE KWEGU, THE MIGRANTS *What made this trilogy special
North America Social Change Socioeconomic conditions Health / Health care / Healing
[indo-pino--Film-image]
Indo Pino 2002 84'
    Directed by Martine Journet Gérard Nougarol Gabriel Chabamier .
The small ethnic group of the Wana Wewaju live in Indonesia in the eastern part of Sulawesi (Celebes Island) among the dense equatorial rain forest of the Tokkala Mountains. The film documents the
South-East Asia Shamans and Shamanism Health / Health care / Healing
[jero-tapakan-stories-from-the-life-of-a-balinese-healer--Film-image]
Jero Tapakan: Stories from the life of a Balinese Healer 1983 26'
    Directed by Timothy Asch Linda Connor Patsy Asch .
Jero beings with an account of her family’s extreme poverty that culminated in her desire to leave her family and travel as a pedlar. She describes mystical experiences that led her to recognise
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Socioeconomic conditions
[jero-on-jero-a-balinese-trance-seance-observed--Film-image]
Jero on Jero: A Balinese Trance Séance Observed 1980 16'
    Directed by Timothy Asch Linda Connor Patsy Asch .
For the first time Jero sees herself on film as she watches 'A Balinese Trance Séance'. Her spontaneous comments provide insights into her feelings while possessed, her understanding of her
South-East Asia Possession Reflexivity Health / Health care / Healing
[kusum--Film-image]
Kusum 2000 69'
    Directed by Jouko Aaltonen Antti Pakaslahti .
Kusum is a 14-year-old Indian girl. She lives and attends school in Delhi. Kaushal, her father, drives a motorised rickshaw and works his fingers to the bone to support his family. Sumitra, Kusum’s
South Asia Children / Young people Health / Health care / Healing Possession
[living-with-the-invisibles--Film-image]
Living with the Invisibles 2003 52'
    Directed by Dirk Dumont .
When they emigrated to Europe in the 60’s and 70’s, Moroccans brought with them their culture and their “diseases” ( caused by the the jinn that inhabit some of them). In Europe, most North
North and Northeast Africa Health / Health care / Healing Possession Migration
[the-medium-is-the-masseuse-a-balinese-massage--Film-image]
The Medium is the Masseuse: a Balinese Massage 1983 31'
    Directed by Timothy Asch Linda Connor Patsy Asch .
Jero uses massage and traditional medicines to treat Ida Bagus, who suffers from sterility and seizures. Through her treatment and her words, Jero reveals her conceptions of the human body, the
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Reproduction (biology)
[a-month-in-the-life-of-ephtim-d--Film-image]
A Month in the Life of Ephtim D. 1999 56'
    Directed by Antonii Dontchev .
Ephtim D., 73 years old, is a retired postman. He lives in Sofia with his wife Ghinka in a three room suburban apartment. As a socialist he feels confused by the ‘crazy’ democracy and the
South-East Europe Health / Health care / Healing Post-communism Socioeconomic conditions
[mursi-the-land-is-bad--Film-image]
Mursi: The Land is Bad 1991 52'
    Directed by Leslie Woodhead .
A further visit to the Mursi of Southern Ethiopia with whom contact was established 17 years ago, for an important coming of age ceremony which has had to be postponed many times. An elder of the
North and Northeast Africa Ritual Social Conflict Health / Health care / Healing
[a-new-kind-of-life--Film-image]
A New Kind of Life 1997 28'
    Directed by Emma Farrell .
How is someone’s life affected when faced with cancer? This film is a portrait of three people from Manchester, England, who have chosen to include complementary therapies as part of their daily coping strategies.
British-Irish Isles Health / Health care / Healing Alternative culture
[nkabom-a-little-medicine-a-little-prayer--Film-image]
Nkabom: A little medicine A little prayer 2021 79'
    Werbner Award Directed by Erminia Colucci .
A mother is caring for her son at a healing shrine on the edge of a village in the central belt of Ghana. In another village, a father has taken his son to several Christian and traditional healers
West Africa Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith
[ritual-journeys--Film-image]
Ritual Journeys 2011 75'
  Directed by Dawa Lepcha Anna Balikci .
The film is an intimate portrait of Merayk, an 80 years old Lepcha shaman or Padim. Merayk lives with his family in Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve in North Sikkim. He performs healing rituals for
South Asia Ritual Shamans and Shamanism Health / Health care / Healing
[the-second-red-line--Film-image]
The Second Red Line 2004 25'
  Directed by Veera Lehto .
In HIV testing, the second red line is the indication of a positive result. This film follows two volunteers working with HIV & Aids sufferers in the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana. In the
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Development projects
[shade-seekers-and-the-mixer--Film-image]
Shade Seekers and The Mixer 2006 60'
    Directed by Richard Werbner .
Set in Moremi village within Botswana’s awesome Tswapong hills, the film makes village elders self-consciously reflexive. The elders, including a controversial healer, view and discuss an earlier
Southern Africa Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith Informant-researcher relationship
[a-spark-in-him--Film-image]
A Spark in Him 2008 28'
  Directed by Claudia Engels .
‘A Spark in Him’ is a film about the life story of Sajay Kumar, a young man without arms who lives in a home for disabled children in Kerala, India, and studies at the College of Fine Arts. By
South Asia Health / Health care / Healing Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission
[seance-reflections-with-richard-werbner--Film-image]
Séance Reflections with Richard Werbner 2004 45'
    Directed by Richard Werbner .
Njebe and Martha are a childless couple living in Botswana’s capital. Seeking to recover their well-being, they consult a charismatic diviner and healer, in Njebe’s old village, Moremi. They
Southern Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Reproduction (biology)
[this-is-my-face--Film-image]
This is My Face 2018 57'
    Student Directed by Angélica Cabezas Pino .
In Chile, people living with HIV fear stigma, and often conceal their condition and remain silent about what they are going through. This is My Face explores what happens when a range of men living
South America LGBTQI* Participatory / Collaborative methods Health / Health care / Healing Gender Role and Identity Film / Photography / Mass media Memory Life Story / Life History Art / Artists / Artisans
[those-who-care-faith-and-freedom-in-a-ladakhi-village--Film-image]
Those who Care: Faith and Freedom in a Ladakhi Village 2001 31'
  Directed by Henriette Levaulx-Vrecourt .
In Tia village, in an isolated area of Ladakh - North West India - lives an amchi (a local herbal doctor) and his wife. It is summer - a short season in the Indian Himalayas and the only period of
South Asia Health / Health care / Healing Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany
[tigers-apprentice--Film-image]
Tigers Apprentice 1998 57'
    Directed by M. Trinh Nguyen .
Tiger's Apprentice is the story of M. Trinh Nguyen's journey to her native Vietnam. She observes and documents her great-uncle's folk medicine practices treating many patients and making his
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany
[umbanda--Film-image]
Umbanda 1977 52'
    Directed by Stephen Cross .
Umbanda is a syncretic religious movement, combining elements from orthodox Catholicism with submerged African and indigenous Indian spiritual beliefs. In spite of past attempts to suppress it,
South America Possession Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith Ritual
[uncle-poison--Film-image]
Uncle Poison 1998 60'
  Directed by Ricardo Leizaola .
Filmed in the city of Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Uncle Poison is an intimate portrait of a traditional faith healer, set against the backdrop of his community’s Easter celebrations. Every day,
South America Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany
[were-ni-he-is-a-madman--Film-image]
Were Ni! He is a Madman 1963 30'
  Directed by Frank Speed Raymond Prince .
This ethnopsychiatric film shows the management of psychiatric disorders by the Yoruba of Nigeria. There are two basic types of institutions to deal with psychiatric disorders. First there are
West Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Possession
[why-is-mr-w-laughingij--Film-image]
Why is Mr W. Laughing? 2017 76'
  Directed by Jana Papenbrook .
Jana Papenbroock with Horst Wässle, Michael Gerdsmann, Bernhard Krebs WHY IS MR W. LAUGHING? is a portrait of three members of a community of artists with different disabilities. Rather than
Western Europe Art / Artists / Artisans Collective / Community identity Elderly people Health / Health care / Healing Life Story / Life History Personal Narrative Social participation
[witchcraft-among-the-azande--Film-image]
Witchcraft Among the Azande 1982 52'
    Directed by André Singer .
*Witchcraft among the Azande' is suitable for showing in undergraduate and graduate classes on topics of religion, philosophy, and African ethnography. It could also be stimulating to discussions of
North and Northeast Africa Religion / Belief / Faith Health / Health care / Healing Social Change
[ymako--Film-image]
Ymako 1998 52'
  Directed by Laurent Van Lancker Robin Shuffield .
Ymako Teatri, a theatre company based in the Ivory Coast, uses street theatre to question some contemporary West African problems. Their originality consists in using the ‘invisible theatre’
West Africa Dance / Theatre / Performance Health / Health care / Healing Social participation