The Shamans of Oaxaca

Dia de los muertos is the most sacred time in Mexico. For the Shaman that are charged with both the ushering of the deceased through the portal of life and the preservation of a fading culture, it is a time of great significance and tradition. In a small town outside Oaxaca, a shaman abuelita reflects on the difficulties of life and teaches her daughter the importance of remembering their ancestors.

During the Mexican celebration of “El dia de los Muertos” in Oaxaca, Laura and Soledad, two shamans, mother and daughter prepare and practice ancient rituals and ceremonies to invoke and remember their loved ones. From one side this story honours the practice of mourning, on the other it is a joyful celebration that connects families and community. It is a story of memory and grief but also identity, present moment, gathering and joy. The film’s natural backdrop is the marigold flower, which holds deep significance and strong symbolism during Day of the Dead.

The Shamans of Oaxaca is a short documentary film produced by Voice for Nature in collaboration with Long Beach Film Company. It is part of the Human x Nature Project.

Featuring Soledad Ruiz Mendez and Laura H. Patlan Ruiz.

Director: Vern Moen
Producer: David De Rothschild
Cinematographer: Vern Moen
Camera Operator: Martin Vielma
Sound Recordist: Dave Ross
Story / Development Producer: Costanza Burstin
Fixer: Rosa Elena Velasco Sanchez

Editor: Vern Moen
Assistant Editor: Joshua Jones
Composer: Joel Shearer
Colourist: Graham Lovelis / Grimace Films
Art Director: Jess Leitmanis
Online Editor: Joshua Jones
Sound Design/Mix: Joel Shearer, Vern Moen and Chris Steffen