Thursday, July 12th
2:00 PM
Address: TBD
In Search of Voodoo is an origin story. It weaves together a personal, cultural, and spiritual journey - capturing the vibrant tales of Voodoo, West Africa, and Benin’s favorite son, actor Djimon Hounsou. Following Hounsou back to the country of his birth, it’s the story of a man rediscovering the core of his past and the lessons that the world can learn from a vibrant, yet misrepresented way of life.
Spirituality, in all its forms, represents the cornerstone of everyday life for billions across the globe. In Search of Voodoo seeks to illuminate the practice of faith that is prevalent within West Africa and the African Diaspora. There is a dark and unfair mythology surrounding the central tenants of that faith that we believe this project can help dispel.
Voodoo is an organic belief system that values the most positive aspects of nature and life. The spirits of Voodoo are regarded as beneficent beings, each controlling their domain with respect and harmony rather than violence and conflict. It is truly something to be celebrated and can help bring back a consciousness and identity of being Africans which has been lost since the slave trade. In Search of Voodoo will give a world-wide audience an inside experience to Voodoo ceremonies, led by well-respected priests, that has never been captured on film before.
Thursday, July 12th
2:00 PM
Address: TBD
Saturday, March 10
9:30 PM
Regal South Beach Cinemas 18
Djimon Hounsou - Director, Writer, & Producer
Djimon Hounsou is a two-time Academy Award-nominated actor for his work in the films In America and Blood Diamond. Hounsou was honored with an NAACP Image Award, a National Board of Review citation and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his role as Solomon Vandy in Blood Diamond. For his role as Mateo in In America, Hounsou won an Independent Spirit Award, was named the 2004 ShoWest Supporting Actor of the Year and shared in a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Cast Performance. Born in Benin, West Africa, Hounsou moved to Paris at the age of 13 to get a better education. As an adult, he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler and then worked with legendary photographer Herb Ritts. Hounsou was subsequently spotted by director David Fincher, who cast him in several music videos. Small film roles followed before Hounsou’s breakthrough role came in 1997 as Cinque, the African who leads an uprising to regain his freedom in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Amistad. The performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a NAACP Image Award. He later shared in a SAG Award nomination as a member of the cast of Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Best Picture, Gladiator.
Douglas Thompson - Writer & Editor
Douglas has been embedded in numerous feature documentary projects, including The Race To Save The World, examining the burning issue of climate change, and The General and Me, an exploration of General Vo Ngyuen Giap, Ho Chi Minh’s right hand man credited with winning the Indochina and Vietnam Wars. He has created programs for Hillary Clinton during her tenure of Secretary of State for presentation to The United Nations and Brookings Institution, and was in charge of the Middle East Project at The Annenberg Foundation. Douglas has spent years exploring and photographing Africa, and holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Michigan.
Kwaku Altson - Director of Photography
Kwaku Alston photographed some of the most famous faces in the world—from Nelson Mandela, Hollywood luminaries, and Grammy winners, to Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama and the First Family— as well as for editorial and advertising clients like Crate& Barrel, Coca-Cola, Blackberry, Target, and Verizon to The New York Times Magazine, Real Simple, and Time.
Eric McGaw - Producer
As Vice President of Fanaticus Entertainment, Eric has been involved with all aspects of the documentary and looks to expand the company's development slate further. Coming out of the University of Georgia, Eric doubled in Finance and Film Production. He previously worked at Georgeville Entertainment, Flynn Picture Company, and Scott Rudin Productions.
Polo Orisha - Assistant Editor, Cinematographer, Sound Editor, & Motion Graphic Designer
Polo Orisha is an artist, Cinematographer, Colorist, Director, and Editor. Living in Los Angeles. He is originally from Benin, a former Studio Manager, Digital Content Director and Broadcast Technician for Golfe Media Group, one of the largest Television and Radio Stations in Benin, West Africa. Polo currently works for Fanaticus Entertainment as a Cinematographer and Editor.
Oswald Hounsou - Unit Production Manager
Born in raised in Benin, Oswald Hounsou came to study in the United States to assist in entertainment productions in his home country. Fluent in English, French and a half dozen West African dialects, he carries a decade of experience as a liaison for media relations and publicity in Africa. Owner of OZ Music Group.
Directed by
DJIMON HOUNSOU
Written By
DOUGLAS THOMPSON
DJIMON HOUNSOU
Executive Producers
DJIMON HOUNSOU
LIONEL TALON
Producer
DJIMON HOUNSOU
Producer
ERIC MCGAW
Director of Photography
KWAKU ALSTON
Editor
DOUGLAS THOMPSON
Unit Production Manager
OSWALD HOUNSOU (Benin)
Unit Production Manager
CORTNEY LYNN KAMMERER (USA)
Production Coordinator
ARNAUD VISSOH
Assistant Directors
NATHALIE HOUNVO YEKPE
SÉBASTIEN DAVO
Second Unit Cinematographer
POLO ORISHA
Second Unit Cinematographer
GAEL HOUNSOU
Camera Operators
POLO ORISHA
GAEL HOUNSOU
WENCESLAS BIAOU
ALAIN NOUNANGNON
Additional Camera
OLIVARÈS GBAGDUIDI
SÉBASTIAN ADJATO
BRADEN MORAN
Drone Operator
POLO ORISHA
Set Production Assistants
HYPPOLITE GODONOU
ANTOINE ASSOU
LUCAS ALLAVO
Sound Operator
KENNETH GBAGUIDI
Boom Operator
TRANQUILIN NONFON
Additional Sound
HARTMAN KOUKPONOU
JOHN KINDO
Key Lighting Technician
ALAIN NOUNANGNON
Lighting Technicians
GAÉL AHOUDJI
CHRISTEL DOTOU HOUNSOU
Key Grip
JEAN-BAPTISTE FOLIKOUE
Grip
GEORGE AGBOTON
Post Production Supervisor
CORTNEY LYNN KAMMERER
First Assistant Editor
POLO ORISHA
Sound Designer
DOUGLAS THOMPSON
Sound Editor
POLO ORISHA
Audio Mixer
JEFF LEVY
ADR Recordist
JIMMY HITE
JEFF LEVY
Executive Producer Audio Post
WHITNEY MORRIS
Musical Consultants
YATRIKA SHAH-RAIS
NNAMDI MOWETA
Color Grading by
FILMLOOK
Colorist
ALLEN KELLY
Motion Graphics
POLO ORISHA
Fanaticus Title - Animator
JEREMIE GUY-BELAND
Fanaticus Title - Graphic Designer
MICHELE CASTAGNETTI
Benin Translators
NATHALIE HOUNVO YEKPE
RAMOUNATOU SAMBIENI
BENOITE GBAGUIDI EPSE HOUNSOU
ALAIN ANANI
English Translators
WESCRIBEIT
JASON “RED” CLARKE
Social Media Managers
GAEL HOUNSOU
JASON “RED” CLARKE
Web Agency
OSHARA INC.
Guides (Savalou)
SYMPHORIEN GBAGUIDI
ERIC GBAGUIDI
ALPHONSE AHIKPO
Transportation
MICHEE DENON
MOUSSA EDIBOU
SEVEHO ADANJE
THOMAS KODJOVI
LUCAS ALLAVO
Établissement
ÉCOLE SECONDAIRE DES MÉTIERS D'ART (ESMA)
HERMANN GMEINER VILLAGE D'ENFANTS SOS ABOMEY CALAVI.
Responsable Pédagogique
MME NATALIA SOGLO
Groupe Ensemble Artistique et Culturel Ayidohouedo Encadrement
HIPPOLYTE AHOUIGBAMEY
JUDITH NOUGBODE
ESTHER GANDAHO
GEORGETTE TAMPEGOU
Membres du groupe
BERENGER HOUNGUE CODO
FABIO EDJEKPOTO
LEONARDO EDJEKPOTO
GLORIA ANTONIO
JUNIOR NOUDEHOU
GLORIA ZANNOU
HANS BADA
MANELLE BADA
Catering
KADIDJATH ADJIBI HOUNSOU
RAMOUNATOU SAMBIENI
JEANNETTE KOUAGOU
EMMANUEL R. GBAGUIDI
LA FAMLLE GBAGUIDI (SAVALOU)
CARHELLE COSSOUGBETO
ELODIE COSSOUGBETO
Production Services Provided by
CMS PRODUCTIONS
Songs
“African Path”
Composed and Produced by Tunde Jegede
Performed by Tunde Jegede with members of
the London Sinfonietta
“Heat Haze”
Composed and Produced by Tunde Jegede
Performed by Tunde Jegede with members of
the London Sinfonietta
“Song of the Waterfall”
Composed and Produced by Tunde Jegede
Performed by Tunde Jegede with members of
the London Sinfonietta
“Song of the Eternal”
Composed and Produced by Tunde Jegede
Performed by Tunde Jegede with members of
the London Sinfonietta
“The Shores of Elmina”
Written and Performed by Obo Addy
Courtesy of Earthbeat Records
Used by arrangement with Concord Music Group, Inc.
“Nature Park Full Mix”
Composed by Eberhard Schoener
Published by Warner/Chappell Production Music GmbH
Enterprises Sonor Musik
“Driftwood”
Composed by John Barrett
Published by Fable Music Pty Ltd
“Heaven Bring Forth”
Composed by Timothy Paul Handels
Published by Pedigree Cuts Ltd.
“Jesu Spiritual Song”
Composed by Tom Fox
Published by Adrenalin Sounds
“Lucky Reggae”
Composed by Ron Brettell
Published by Mathambo Music
“Perfect Dream”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“Preparation Pulse”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf
Published by Soundquest Music BMI - DR BAM's Music BMI
“Raven Medicine”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf
Published by Soundquest Music BMI - DR BAM's Music BMI
“Longing to Be…”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“Early Dawn”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“Clearing Place”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“Within the Mystic”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“Shaman's Heart 2 - Part 9”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf
Published by Soundquest Music BMI - DR BAM's Music BMI
“Tranquility Base”
Composed and Performed by Steve Roach
Published by Soundquest Music BMI
“African Moods”
Composed by Jeffery Maluleke & David Reynolds
Performed by Da Grassroots
Published by Caveman Music CC and Sheer Publishing
“African Percussion Groove”
Composed by David Marsden
Published by Reliable Source Music Limited
“Heliotrope Bouquet”
Composed by Scott Joplin and Louis Chauvin
ISOV “Voodoo”
Written and Performed by
Raphael Houedecoutin & Femi Houedecoutin
“Afro-Optomist”
Written by Raphael Houedecoutin & Femi Houedecoutin
Performed by Ramou Sambieni, Raphael Houedecoutin & Femi Houedecoutin
“Mami Wewe”
Written by Ramou Sambieni
Performed by Ramou Sambieni & Atcho Yaovi Emmanuel
Music by Olabode Bahbow David For Oz Music Group
“Sakpata”
Written by Ramou Sambieni
Performed by Ramou Sambieni & Tchegnon Jimmy Brice
Published by Oz Music Group
Interviews
PRESIDENT NICÉPHORE SOGLO
MARTINE DE SOUZA
GRATIEN D. AHOUANMENOU
DANIALOU SAGBOHAN
PRINCE ERNEST GBAGUIDI ALIAH - "BALEY ALIAH"
PASTOR BONITO SOUKPO
DR. BASILE ADJOU MOUMOUNI
MADAME VIRGINIE VISSOH
FATHER CHARLEMAGNE KOUDHOROT
GABIN BERNARD DJIMASSE
PROFESSOR COOVI RAYMOND ASSOGBA
PROFESSOR OLABIYI BABALOLA JOSEPH YAI
DAH ASSOU
MARNEL BREURE
MAHINOU MASSENON
HOUETON
BOKONON HOUENON
QUEEN OF SAKPATA OF DASSA
SEBATO DANHOHODOGBE
GANHON
QUEEN OF TOHOSSOU OF BOHICON
LE PROFESSEUR EMILE OLOGOUDOU
EULALIE DAGBA
AZWASI QUENUM AGBONON
LOKOSOU WASI
BERNARD ADIJWANOU
HINNOU GBEDJINON
LEON AGOGO
AZALOU NOUMON
ADISSITO KOYA DOSSA
SORIOUS SAMURA
Additional Interviews (not shown)
SEBASTIEN DAGBA
EL HADJ YACOUBOU MALEHOSSOU
BLANDINE KOUBLANOU SIDONIE
DR. MOHAMED LATOUNDJI
HEVIOSSOKLOUNON ALODE GBEZE
GBELOKO KLOUNON ALODE-ATCHEFFON
DIDO KANDE MINHINTO AHOUANHINTO
Stock Footage and Images Provided By
SOUROU PROD
MITCH MARTINEZ
NICOLAS MONCADAS
CHRIS JORDAN, FROM THE SERIES MIDWAY: MESSAGE FROM THE GYRE
ROSS ARCHIVE OF AFRICAN IMAGES
DOROTHEUM VIENNA, AUCTION CATALOGUE 21. APRIL 20I5
KARL EDWARD LAMAN AND THE MISSION COVENANT CHURCH OF SWEDEN'S ARCHIVES
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF NAMIBIA
ART RESOURCE, INC.
OFFICE DE RADIODIFFUSION ET TÉLÉVISION DU BÉNIN (ORTB)
COLONIAL PICTURE ARCHIVE, UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF FRANKFURT/MAIN
COSMO CROSIER AND SACRED SQUARE ART & DESIGN
JASON MCKITTRICK AND CRYPTOCURIUM.COM
BIBLIOTECA CIVICA CENTRALE DI TORINO
BRITISH PATHE
POND5
VIDEOHIVE
VIDEOBLOCKS
SHUTTERSTOCK
"SEBASTIAN'S VOODOO"
CREATED BY: JOAQUIN BALDWIN
“THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW”
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS LICENSING LLC
“AMISTAD”, "STARDUST", AND "VOODOO MAN”
COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES LICENSING
"THE DAILY SHOW"
PERMISSION BY COMEDY CENTRAL AND VIACOM MEDIA NETWORKS
Artwork of Voodoo Deities By
REGINE BANDEL
Voice of John Paul II
PETER BAKER
Very Special Thanks To
KIMORA LEE SIMMONS AND MY KIDS
And Special Thanks To
GOVERNMENT OF BENIN, VILLAGE OF ABOMEY, VILLAGE OF BOHICON, CITY OF COTONOU, CITY OF PORTO NOVO, CITY OF OUIDAH, VILLAGE OF DASSA, VILLAGE OF GRAND POPO, VILLAGE OF HWAKPE DAHO, VILLAGE OF SAVALOU
KING OF SAVALOU GANDJEGNI AWOYO GBAGUIDI IV, MOSQUE OF PORTO NOVO, NABYL BOURAIMA, DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA OF BENIN, RACHELLE YAYI, INSTITUT SUPÉRIEUR DES MÉTIERS DE L'AUDIOVISUEL (ISMA, BÉNIN)
PRIMARY SCHOOL OF LOWO/A, DIRECTOR LAURENT OUINSOU, ROCK MAFFON, DAH ALIGBONON, JEAN CODO, IGNACE YETCHENOU, JUSTIN SEMASSOUSSI, HYACINTHE H. AHOGA, JUSTIN AVIMADA KPADONOU, DAVID KOFFI AZA, DREAM BEACH, AMAZONE HOTEL BOHICON
BARRY GREENFIELD, JUSTIN KALMA, TRACY SEELEY, CRAIG BANKEY, TONY DE JESUS, TIFFINI BOWERS, GLEN WILSON, SORIOUS SAMURA, PAULETTE OSORIO, BOB BLAU, MIRELA CLAUDINO, TANICE SCHRAMM, JOSEPH A. ANSALVISH, ALEXANDRA BENDES
LES BAGNOLES, DJIBSON HOTEL, F&F HOTEL SAVALOU
Copyright © 2018 FANATICUS ENTERTAINMENT
