In Brazil, a country where religious freedom is under attack and racism is a systemic issue, a Nigerian professor and his community struggles to prove their god Èṣù, is not the devil.
Produced by Chica Barbosa
Directed by Thiago Zanato
85 min | Brazil
Shot in Nigeria, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain
Èṣù was a sacred African god for thousands of years but today, after over 300 years of slavery, Èṣù is seen on late night TV shows, during live exorcism sessions where he is send “back to hell”. How can Èṣù be both worshiped as a god and hated like the devil? The film is a poetic excursion into the universe of Èṣù and the historical struggle against forces that insist in demonizing Yoruba culture and their people - but also how, despite being on the brink of extinction, it resisted and started to flourish around the world.
AWARDS/SELECTIONS:
Best Documentary Jury Award at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (2022)
Best Documentary Audience Award at the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival (2022)
Best Documentary Audience Award at Mostra Ecofalante Environmental Film Festival (2023)
FICCI - Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagenas de Indias (2023)
LALIFF - Los Angeles Latino Film Festival (2023)
Mostra Oju - Roda Sesc de Cinemas Negras (2023)
Bushwick International Film Festival (2023)
Closing Film at La Fiesta del Cine - Latino Festival de Cinéma (Nice, 2024)
WIP SELECTIONS
Points North Fellowship (2020)
Latino Media Market - NALIP Media Summit (2020)
Industry Meetings at DocSP - International Documentary Meeting of Sao Paulo (2019)
"Only in NY" Industry Meetings at the DOC NYC (2019)
WIP Latino at the Festival de Cine Internacional de Guadalajara in LA. Awarded with the Marketing Movie Runner (2019)
Director: Thiago Zanato
Creative Producers: Chica Barbosa, Prof. King and Marcos Valadão
Co-Producers: Druzina Content and Livres Filmes
Director of Photography: Marco Antônio Ferreira
Chief Editor: Danilo Santos
Sound: Thiago Zanato, Fred França, Raul Costa, Tales Manfrinato and Chica Barbosa
Sound Design & Mix: Tiago Bello
Color Grading & Post-production: Marcelo Rodriguez