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RAI FILM Festival takes place on 27-30 March 2025. Learn more.

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Kalanda – the Knowledge of the Bush

Directed by Lorenzo Ferrarini

2014 – 62'

Synopsis

In some parts of West Africa, hunting is much more than killing animals. A donso is no common hunter, but a healer, a diviner, a ritual specialist and amulet maker. Kalanda is a unique initiatory journey into their knowledge from the perspective of the filmmaker. It was filmed during a year of research in Burkina Faso, thanks to the filmmakers initiation into donsoya. His teacher becomes a narrator who carries him and the viewer through a variety of experiences that show the richness of donsoya.

RAI FILM Festival 2025

The next RAI FILM Festival will take place in person from 27-30 March 2025 at the Watershed Cinema and the Arnolfini International Centre for Contemporary Arts in Bristol (UK) and online throughout the month of April 2025.