Holy Hustlers

Synopsis: Charismatic, street-wise young men, living in Botswana’s capital, command the prophetic domain in Eloyi, their Apostolic faith-healing church, at a time of escalating crisis. Bitter, sinful accusations divide Eloyi’s village-based archbishop and his son, the city based bishop. The church itself, seen to be ‘under destruction’, splits.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, prophets are seen in trance, whirling in ecstasy, praying, running wild in exorcism and feeling patients’ pain in their own bodies. But beyond empathy and avowed compassion, prophets hustle and shock.

This film illuminates the creative tension between holiness and hustling by showing how, in this Apostolic church’s time of crisis, city prophets assert themselves powerfully because they are both holy and hustlers.
Series: Well Being Quest in Botswana, The
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 2009
Subjects: Anthropology; Religious studies
Keywords: Botswana; religious belief and practice; faith healing

Name: Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology
Address: School of Social Sciences
The University of Manchester
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Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Notes: Over 100 films produced by Granada Centre students, staff and film-makers working in association with the Granada Centre are now distributed by the Royal Anthropological Institute. Visit the RAI website for further details

Name: Royal Anthropological Institute
Contact: Susanne Hammacher (Film Officer)
Email: film@therai.org.uk
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Phone: 020 7387 0455
Fax: 020 7388 8817
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W1T 5BT
Notes: The Institute sells more than 250 anthropology and ethnology titles on video and DVD, including some produced by students and staff of the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology. There is also a large library of internationally produced film and video productions from which items may be borrowed within the UK.

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