The United States of Hoodoo, Documentary by Olivier Hardt

The documentary explores how African-based spirituality has informed Americas popular culture. The old African gods have taken on new forms since their arrival on North America's shores. Their spirit now manifests in turntable wizardry, improvisational skills and mind-blowing collages, performances and rituals. The film shakes up traditional and stereotypical ways of thinking about race, religion, rationality. Through meetings with musicians, writers and artists, healers, gumbo cooks and Mississippi Blues men, the documentary draws a picture of a culture which has always drawn on a unique mix of different ethnic influences to produce its cultural diversity, allure, and vitality (IMBD, 2012)

I remember being in the West Indies getting dressed up for the Carnaval, hearing the music and percussions up and down the streets. Not something you would find in metropolis France. But there on the island where African tradition meets a religious event such as Mardi Gras, all is transformed.

Watching the United States of Hoodoos put many things into perspectives for me on how the African Gods joined the Americans one and express themselves marvellously by sipping into culture sounds and images.

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