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.
Samuel L. Jackson photo by neovain. Licensed under CC 2.0
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.
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
Hi, everyone! Jason and I are super excited to launch our new video series, the Pop Occulture Show with Lilith Dorsey and Jason Winslade, where we explore the crossroads of occultism, popular culture and media. Jason Winslade, PhD, media studies, religion and performance studies scholar and Lilith Dorsey, MA., author, filmmaker, cinema scholar, and voodoo priestess have been giving workshops and classes on these topics for years. However these plague times being what they are, we decided to take the show online.
During each 30 minute program we discuss themes and issues surrounding the occult in various popular media. We call it Pop Occulture, which is a fun way of saying the popular culture of the occult. Pop Occulture thrives at the crossroads of popular culture and the occult. In the show, your hosts will discuss and delve into themes, issues and manifestations of the occult in popular media and culture. Join as we investigate the tropes, tragedies and transformations of the mysterious, weird and occult world.
You might have caught us doing our usual thing at the Sirius Rising online event this past July. We spoke about Water Magic in Popular Media, as part of the publicity for my new Water Magic book. We had a great time discussing films like Eve’s Bayou, and the tv show Swamp Thing. Fortunately you can watch that class here :
The Pop Occulture Show premieres on Oct. 13th on our FB page and on YouTube. Please tune in and let us know what you think. Happening every other week upcoming shows will discuss such classics as The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, Practical Magic, The Craft and more. There will also be deep dives into the magick and the mastery of modern media such as Lovecraft Country, The Umbrella Academy, Watchmen, as well as the upcoming reboots of The Craft and The Witches. We are also hoping to have some special surprise guests ! We hope you join us !
As always if you enjoy what you find here please remember to like, comment, and share… on this post and on the videos too. And if you can please support this undertaking by making a donation here.
There is a lot of talk lately about Harriet Tubman and rightfully so. Some of it is surrounding Kasi Lemmon’s film which has garnered both kudos and criticism since it’s recent release. She has long been one of my favorite directors. It isn’t easy being a black female filmmaker, I know because I am one. Her Eve’s Bayou is one of the most magickal movies of all time. In this film she brings her unique magickal style that perfectly portrays Harriet Tubman’s mystical messages from the divine.
Harriet however, is not without controversy. Some of the issue is with the choice of Cynthia Erivo, a British actress, to play the role. While for some the fact that a black woman was chosen was a step in the right direction, but it could and should have been an American. Others took issue at the inclusion of a Black Bounty hunter in the story. Then there is also the fact that there were several elements of the film that were wholly historically inaccurate. Hollywood is notorious for changing the truth in favor of what they believe to be artistic licence. It is sad that the film made these choices, and while there is nothing to be done about it now, I hope they make better decisions moving forward.
That said it was long overdue that another film be made about this icon. Harriet Tubman was and is an inspiration foremother to so many of us. Her story needs to be told and remembered. My hope is that will turn more peoples attention to this amazing woman.
For those wishing to discover more about the magick of Harriet Tubman I highly recommend Witchdoctor Utu’s book. When it first premiered I wrote: “It not often that black history and magick are given the attention and respect they deserve. Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroadis an incredible work whose time has come. Witchdoctor Utu and I have been spiritual family for almost two decades. We have been together inside ritual and out, and I truly can’t find enough wonderful things to say about him. His first book is stunning and not to be ignored.”
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !
Juju The Web Series photo courtesy of Moon Ferguson. All rights reserved.
It takes a lot to get me excited, and I can honestly say I’m really excited for Juju: The Web Series. The importance of Black people telling Black stories can not be underestimated, so when I got the chance to interview creator Jhe Moon Ferguson about her new project Juju: The Web Series, I couldn’t wait. The show blends Black Girl Magick, Ancestors, and Divine Sisterhood into a beautiful whole. Read more and see how it all came to be.
How did the idea for Juju: The Web Series come about?
It literally woke me out of my sleep. I had just finished watching the entire 7 seasons of The Vampire Diaries. And in the series finale, everyone got a happy ending except for the Black witch Bonnie– who is also one of the main characters. Her character arc was solely on disrespecting her ancestors to help her vampire friends and the mess they created. That show took everything from her. Her grandmother, mother, father, ancestors, boyfriends. She couldn’t catch a break. I didn’t like it. I then binged Charmed (the original) the get ideas on how to write and shoot magic, and create potions. I saw the how unrealistic it was, and again– no Black witches. So I created something of my own.
What is your dream for this series ?
My dream for this series is for it to get picked up on a major television network or streaming platform.
What is your background in film ? In African Traditional Religions ?
I went to school at Miami Dade College (Miami, Florida) for film production. I then went to Southern New Hampshire University (online) to continue my education in Screenwriting. Film school is more technical, I wanted to strengthen my writing because the script is the foundation. Before Juju, I produced three short films on mental health in the Black & West Indian community. One of which was accepted to the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival in March 2018.
So, for Juju, I focused on the story of my direct culture, Jamaican. I started it with one Jamaican American witch with relatives who do Obeah. But I figured it was to easy, and I wanted to build multiple worlds. So I added two more witches of Cuban & Haitian descent with traces of Vodou & Santeria in their bloodlines. I did months of research in the library and online which pulled me into a Blackhole. The history of Voodoo/Vodou, Santeria, and Obeah traces back to West Africa and African Tradition Religions. This then pulled me into learning about it for myself and my own spirituality rather than just for the show. (I was always spiritual, but I tapped into a whole new state of being and consciousness). So my background is still new, as I am still learning and exploring.
Can you tell us about some of the other creators involved in the project?
I have a very strong team behind Juju. I put together a writer’s room of six Black women. We are Afro-Latina, Afro-Caribbean, Queer, Straight, Witches, Bold, and many more. My crew was the same, mostly women who share the same passion for stories of marginalized groups in the supernatural realm. The men on our crew are just as great, respectful, kind, advocates for women and their safety. The universe blessed me with awesome people for this project.
Still from Juju: The Web Series courtesy Moon Ferguson. All rights reserved.
Your tagline mentions that these witches aren’t from Salem? Do you feel that the Salem community has excluded Witches of color? Where do your Witches call home?
When the mass hears witches, you automatically think Salem. Salem witches are a part of American history (i.e. The Salem Witch Trials). I didn’t want people to assume that for my witches. They are indeed first-generation witches (like myself) whose mothers are Caribbean (Jamaican, Haitian, and Cuban), so essentially the West Indies is their home. However, in the pilot, the matriarch of their family (the first witch in their bloodline) is from Nigeria. She [Adaoma] was brought here (Salem) by the Atlantic Slave Trade and had some good and bad experiences with the [White] Salem witches. (I don’t want to give away the backstory, lol). I know when people think of Salem witches, they aren’t thinking of Black witches. I’ve researched the stories of the three Black Salem Witches for the series as well: Tituba, Mary Black, and Candy. In our series, we bring these characters to life as they are friends to Ada. (more backstory exclusive lol)
How do you feel that this project can combat some of the stereotypes about Black Witches?
Our witches get to have fun with their magic and use it for the good of the people. A supernatural show isn’t good unless you have villains of course, but our witches are good witches. Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Louise from Teen Witch, The Halliwell sisters all used their magic to have fun with and to save people. That’s what my witches get to do as well. A lot of times, Black witches in shows are portrayed as villains who use Black magic for evil intent. I wanted to stop that.
Since I ask this question to other creators of media concerning Black spirituality I feel it is only fair to ask you too, do you have a consultant to advise on Spiritual matters and depictions in Juju the Web series? Why or why not?
Yes! Of course. I am still learning about the depths of spirituality myself. I can only speak on my Jamaican & Cuban background as far as culture and religion. Throughout this series, I have asked questions of friends who have practiced longer than I have and my Nigerian friends about the culture of Yoruba and Igbo. I’m always asking questions because I want it to be accurate and I don’t want to mess anyone’s culture up. I plan on having more spiritual writers for season two.
There is a legacy of Black Women filmmakers representing African Traditional Religion on film – starting with Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust, Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou, and even my film Bodies of Water, how do you feel that this work will fit in with that?
This is good company! I just hope people view this story the way they view the queens you listed above. We have so many themes, layers, and moods in this series. It can be very serious and deep, lighthearted, yet heavy, and just plain fun. I hope people accept the mood changes in storylines because that’s the depiction of life.
Where can we see Juju: The Web Series?
We will premiere it on Youtube at the end of the year.
How can we help ?
DONATE!!! We are raising funds to finish the series this summer! If we don’t make our goal, we make nothing! So it’s important to spread the word, because this is a story we want to share with the culture. http://kck.st/2VLCkRN
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! @jujuwebseries
For those who would like a peek at what these Witches have in store, watch the trailer :
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !
Lilith Dorsey in front of the Daughters of the Dust poster. All rights reserved.
It’s high time to talk about Black Female Filmmakers. February is designated as Black History month, obviously around here it is Black History everyday. It comes as no surprise to anyone that most often people of color are marginalized and underrepresented, when we talk about women of color the disparity in pay, and in recognition gets even greater.
Black Female Filmmakers : Ava DuVernay
Unless you are living under a rock, you have heard about Ava DuVernay. Known for directing such films as I Will Follow, August 28th, Selma, Middle of Nowhere, and the soon to be released A Wrinkle in Time. The film A Wrinkle in Time makes her the first female director to be given a film with a $100 million dollar budget. A big round of applause to her.
Black Female Filmmakers: Kasi Lemmons
I can’t write about #BlackFemaleFilmmakers without talking about Kasi Lemmons. She was the first black female filmmaker to make a feature length Hollywood film, Eve’s Bayou. In my review of the film, I wrote “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. ”
Black Female Filmmakers: Julie Dash
Even before Kasi Lemmons there was Julie Dash. Dash made her film Daughters of the Dust in 1991. With this film Dash created a visual and emotional masterpiece. My post about the film states “This is a beautiful film that deeply moves your spirit and your soul. Daughters of the Dust is a creatively woven cinematic journey that the likes of which have not been duplicated. It definitely makes the top ten list here at Voodoo Universe of must see films about African-American traditional religion. ”
Black Female Filmmakers: Lilith Dorsey
There is one last Black Female Filmmaker, I’d like to draw your attention to and that is me, Lilith Dorsey. Those who are unfamiliar with my background, and may be scratching their heads as to why a Voodoo Priestess is making films, let me say I have been a filmmaker all of my adult life. I did my undergraduate work in film production at a little known school called New York University, and went on to do my graduate work there in their Culture and Media program , which focuses on responsible documentary making. Please take a moment to check out my films, follow my youtube channel, and support Black female filmmakers in whatever way you can. For more information on showing my films at your school or organization please email me at voodoouniverse@yahoo.com
This is obviously only a short list. I’d love to hear about your favorite Black Female Filmmakers in the comments below, if you can add links to their social media, and youtube channels. Please follow me and these women too, maybe together we can all lift each other up. Because if we don’t, who will ?
#31DaysofSamhain movie list. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
The veil is thin, our minds are dark, and the pictures we see can inspire and incite. In my last post I started the #31daysofsamhain movie list, without further ado I present the rest of my seasonal viewing suggestions.
17. Daughters of the Dust (1991)- There are a lot of fake and fantasy based spiritual portrayals on this list, it’s only fitting that I include something that truly shows the beauty and power of these lesser known religions. This film was made by Julie Dash, one of the first African-American female filmmakers. She recently spoke out about how difficult it still is for black women to make films, and as a black filmmaker I feel her pain. This is a must see for anyone interested in Afro-diasporan spirituality and ancestor worship. In my review of the film I write “a story of the magick, mystery, and heritage of a culture. Much to our delight this is a story told by one of it’s own.”
18. Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)- Beware this may be the worst Samhain film ever made. Just listen to them mispronounce Samhain, over and over again throughout the film. Evil leprechauns and stereotype live here, and that fracking Silver Shamrock song will create an earworm that is the truest of Halloween horrors. Watch at your own risk.
19. The Crow (1994) – This movie quickly became legend when it’s star Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, died from an accidental gunshot from a prop gun. In the film he plays an undead avenger who must have retribution. *Available on Hulu and Showtime
20. The Witches (1990)- Nicholas Roeg is one of my favorite directors, and this offering is a bit different than his norm. Here unfortunately, most of the witches are negative, albeit brilliantly led by their Queen played by Angelica Huston. There was also a remake, but I prefer the original. * 1990 version Available on Hulu
21. Witches of Eastwick (1987)- Witches come in all colors, in this case red, black, and blonde. Here I’m talking about Susan Sarandon, Cher, and Michelle Pfieffer. Like many do they loose themselves over love, or more correctly lust for a horny devil played by Jack Nicholson. The tagline for this film was “something wicked this way comes.” You better believe me, it does. My co-host and I spoke about this film in detail on our web series The Pop Occulture Show … watch here.
22. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964)- This tale has murder, mystery, and the queen of the silver screen Bette Davis. This classic genre film features big dresses, much liquor, and psychosis. When I was in graduate school they showed this as the gold standard of Southern Gothic horror. I’m happy to say it still stands the test of time.
23. The Shining (1980)- No list of horror films would be complete without The Shining. Strange and scary, almost everyone agrees that this is one of the most powerful horror films ever made. It speaks of both the sacred and the profane as no other film before or since.
24. Donnie Darko (2001-) – This is definitely one of my most re-watched treasures and one I couldn’t live without. As I was updating this listing I googled the film and the top two questions were : What’s the point of Donnie Darko and Is Donnie Darko a good movie? This makes me love it even more.
25. Live and Let Die (1973)- Everyone needs a little Voodoo in their lives, and James Bond is no exception. The description on IMDB refers to this as “007 is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organization and a reliable psychic tarot card reader.” The reliable tarot card reader is Jane Seymour and she makes a phenomenal Bond girl helping him navigate through the world of mystery. The most impressive part of the film however, is Geoffrey Holder’s portrayal of Baron Samedi, the Haitian Vodou Loa of death.
26. Eve’s Bayou – In my review of the film I write “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.” Made by one of the few Black female directors Kasi Lemmons, please take the time to find this film.
27. Blacula (1972)- Dracula is back and he’s black. The trailer calls him Dracula’s soul brother, and if you can’t tell this film screams 1970s.
28. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)- Beautifully crafted and executed characters like Jack Skellington and
Jack and Sally cosplay courtesy of wikimedia. Licensed under CC 2.0.
Sally this has become a creepy holiday classic. Bonus , it’s a musical.
29. The Craft (1996)- “Light as a feather, stiff as a board”… This film is over two decades old and a whole generation of witches has grown up with this modern classic.
30. The Hunger (1983)-the world lost a powerful treasure when David Bowie passed away. Many are familiar with him as the goblin king in Labryinth but fewer are familiar with The Hunger. Vampires are very fashionable, here and I guess everywhere really.
31. Demon Seed (1977)- This is a mostly forgotten masterpiece by Director Donald Cammell. Cammell’s father is a legend in the occult community as a biographer of Aleister Crowley. The younger Cammell was friends with experimental occult filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and so the spiritual connection continued. They were said to have cursed those who crossed their paths. Best known for his psychedelic masterpiece Performance, Cammell dipped into techno-magick as well with his film Demon Seed. The film review website dailydead.com calls it “a unique genre treatise on dominance and loss.” It is a powerful visual masterpiece, you can see for yourselves.
Please leave your Samhain favorites in the comments below, and if you have enjoyed what you read here please do us a quick favor and remember to share, share, share !!!
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