Uncle Poison

Alternative title

Tio Veneno

Synopsis

A portrait of a traditional faith healer, set against the backdrop of his community’s Easter celebrations in modern Caracas, Venezuela. Shows the role of healer Benito Reyes as mediator between the social, natural and spiritual worlds, using his own testimony. Before curing someone or even harvesting medicinal leaves, Benito must first seek permission from the plants he uses and from a variety of saints. And like some plants and spirits, he also has the power to extract the sickness and spells from his patients. The Easter feast with its conjunction of sacred and profane, celebration and mourning, provides an opportunity to look at traditional healing in a wider social and religious context.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 60 min.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Sale; 2000 sale: £25.00 (inclusive)

Notes

Further information at: www.arepa.freeserve.co.uk

Subjects

Anthropology

Keywords

shamans; Venezuela

Credits

Director

Ricardo Leizaola

Distributor

Name

Ricardo Leizaola

Email

leizaola@arepa.freeserve.co.uk

Web

http://www.arepa.freeserve.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7622 1539

Fax

020 7622 1539

Address

134 Edgeley Road
London SW4 6HBB