SO 22/4
ca 21:00
ROOTS IN THE HEART - a European Folk Magic Documentary
Synopsis:
ROOTS IN THE HEART follows musician Jimmy Trash on a journey through parts of Southern and Eastern Europe that have managed to slip through time and retain their faith and practice of folk methods of healing, seeing and blessing.
Inspired by the words of the 16th century physician Paracelsus, “one must seek out old wives, gypsies, sorcerers, wandering tribes, old robbers, and such outlaws and take lessons from them“, Jimmy Trash travels through six countries actively participating in rituals that have been passed down in oral tradition for centuries. He meets and learns from Granny Whisperers, Roma, shamans and more, himself being the one to be “worked“ on and experiencing the actions.
Along the way he talks with younger people who have a connection with these traditions, in an attempt to obtain a modern view of the ancient techniques. Amongst them are descendants of these traditions who have the burden of keeping their grandparents‘ traditions alive, students of the older healers and ethnographers who study magic in an academic way.
Also featured heavily through the movie is the music and songs of the same communities dealing with everyday magic, as whenever you look for magic, music is never far away.
About the Director:
Jimmy Trash is a musician, writer and curator based in Berlin. He has written and produced musicals for Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt, toured as the organist for a freak show, worked as a writer and researcher for record label Analog Africa, and organised his own festival of eclectic and strange music, “Trashfest”. Known for his bloody performances and ritualistic live acts, he has turned his projects in later years towards an understanding and artistic representation of ancient texts and rituals.
Country and year of production: Germany 2015
Running time: 75 mins
Director: James Cameron aka Jimmy Trash
Producer: Gummo Productions
Ethnologist/Anthropologist/ Ethnomusicologist : In cooperation with Aleksandar
