FILMAKERS LIBRARY
Anthropology
Breaking Leaves
A film by Karen Kramer
- "Karen Kramer’s ‘Breaking Leaves’ is a lyrical, intelligent,
and respectful film about the healing arts – an aspect of Haiti’s
traditional religious life that is too often overlooked." -Dr. Karen
McCarthy Brown, Prof. of Sociology and Anthropology of Religion, Drew University
- "a revelation to those interested in African-based cultures and
philosophies…" -Daniel Dawson, The American Museum of Natural History
In
the Haitian countryside, where people have little access to doctors, hospitals,
or conventional medicine, peasants have learned to use local leaves, herbs,
and therapeutic massage as a way of curing simple ailments. This video follows
several men and women as they take us into the bush to look for leaves that
they need for healing. We then follow then home where they explain and demonstrate
their way of preparing the poultice or infusion.
Narrated by the people themselves –and with beautiful songs about the
importance of leaves woven throughout – this poetic film gives unique insight
into the culture .
Margaret Mead Film Festival, 1998
30 min. Video or DVD. Sale $195. Video rental $55.
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