The Altar Of My Soul: Film Analysis

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The films: Vodou Kingdon, Divine Horsemen, The King Does Not Lie, and Rastamentary explore Afro-Carribean religions by studying, and filming the practices of the Vodou, Santería and Rastafarian religions. These films depict different practices, rituals, ceremonies, ways of living and thought processes. While the religions being depicted are based in islands such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica; the very soul of these religions derived from the mother land of Africa. Each film is uniquely diverse, depicting the religions in different ways. The films not only highlight its religion of focus, but it also highlights their connections to Africa, allowing viewers to easily identify similarities within these Afro-Caribbean religions. …show more content…
The film The King Does Not Lie and the book The Altar Of My Soul show the importance of Santería within Puerto Rico, however, while doing so, it unconsciously points out its differences from Vodou. Both Vodou and Santería are African derived religions that share similar gods, practices and beliefs. Each religion has deeply rooted history within Africa, yet they also have differences that derived from their islands. While the book describes Santería differently from Vodou, the film confirms the difference. Within the film, rituals such as: shaving the head clockwise, the usage of beads and coconut shells, intensified preparations for initiation ceremonies and the lack of parties or dinners for the gods were shown. While The Altar of My Soul describes all these practices it does so through the eyes of Marta Vega, giving readers an understanding of how Santería and moved through her life, however the film gives multiple perspectives. The film speaks to many different people about how Santería has influenced their lives and how they 've come to believe in the religion. The film goes as deep as showing the full initiation process and preparation of an initiate, it explains to viewers what is happening and its significance. While The Altar of My Soul and The King Does Not Lie teach of the same religion, they paint very different images. While Vega tells her story of Santería a very calm image is portrayed (as compared to Mama Lola) however, the film depicts Santería as a never ending, lively, and joyous religion. The film elaborates and magnifies all the rituals that Vega used for personal growth, depicting how each ritual changes the believer 's life

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