Producers' Forum: Third World Newsreel: African Spiritualities Night Two - Voices of the Gods by Al Santana

Voices of the Gods by Al Santana 

(USA, 1985, 60 min)

This documentary captures the rich legacy of ancient African religions practiced in the United States. It provides viewers with rare insight into the practices and beliefs of the Akan and Yoruba religions–their cosmologies, their use of music, dance, and medicine in various ceremonies and rituals–and illustrates how mass media has been used to ridicule and denigrate these belief systems. 

Al Santana is a visual artist, independent filmmaker, cinematographer, and still photographer. His credits over the past 40 years include work on numerous award-winning documentaries, public affairs films, and videos that have aired on both network and public television, with highlights such as One People (2007) and Blues People (2007).