Review of “Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti” (1985)

Moving picture, 52 minutes

An honest introduction to voodoo, i.e. some of the gods and rites of the Haitian religion. Lots of slow-motion dancing and some graphic animal sacrifice.

Oddly conventional documentary work by respected avant-garde feminist filmmaker Maya Deren. Filmed between 1947 and 1951, it was not fully edited until long after Deren’s death. Editing was completed by Itō Teiji, Deren’s main collaborator on the project.

moving picture non-fiction