Eve’s Bayou is by no means a new film, but it is definitely one that is worthy of discussion when it comes to Voodoo and Hoodoo. The history of Voodoo on film is tainted with the likes of White Zombie (1932) and Cabin in the Sky (1943,) so when Kasi Lemmon’s Eve’s Bayou was released in 1997, many knew it’s time was long overdue. It is one of a small handful of feature films to be directed by black women, and it is a story to remember.
Shrouded in death, ancestors, and mystery …Eve’s Bayou centers around a child called Eve. A large part of the film’s power comes from it’s cinematography. Beautifully shot and amazingly performed this is a true treasure.Eve’s Bayou features Samuel L Jackson who seriously shakes his thing, and Debbie Morgan as his psychic sister. Be sure to look out for the stunning cameo appearances by Jazz legends Allen Toussaint anf Branford Marsalis. Many may also recognize a young Jurnee Smollet-Bell, who later went on to a recurring role on HBO’s True Blood.
Eve’s Bayou
https://youtu.be/iqRZgos-Yvk
Without revealing too many spoilers, you really should seek it out for yourself, if you haven’t seen it already, I will say this… it is a coming of age story, about a liminal time in a young girl’s and the other characters lives.Contact with the dead and spirituality are a recurring theme here too. The film at it’s core centers around the women. There are mothers, wives, aunties, sisters, and let’s not forget the psychics. There are psychics who use Devil’s Shoestring root and foretell the future, a talent which isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as most psychics know. Then there is Elzora, the fringe fortune teller, played by Diahann Carroll. With her face covered in white she appears to be almost in the spirit world herself. Elzora and teaches and reinforces the importance of patience, payment and truth. Like many people in the psychic realm, whether she is genuine, or a “horrible old lying witch,” like her character is called, remains to be seen. The main lesson of the film is” be careful what you wish for,” something that can not be repeated enough. When asked which film portrays Voodoo and psychic phenomenon accurately, many cite Eve’s Bayou as one film which gets it pretty correct. It’s definitely on my top ten list of recommended Voodoo films , those looking for the worst Voodoo films can see my list
10 Worst Voodoo Films of All Time
I will leave you with my favorite quote from the film, and if you like what you have read please help us out and share to facebook, twitter and your favorite social media sites.
“Sometimes I think there’s no point at all, and that’s the damn point” – Mozelle Batiste
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