This documentary is about insight. An insight into the developing world of Jefferson, a 10 year old boy upon whose young shoulders rests a great spiritual responsibility for his community. His insight in trying to find a place within the incongruence between his world and that of the gods that surround him. Our insight into the space between those worlds, an insight into our own perceptions of reality, faith and devotion.
Jefferson lives in a poor São Paulo suburb. He is routinely exposed to the brutality of life in a country which robs many of it’s young of their innocence. It is his faith, however, that marks him out. Jefferson is devoted the faith of Candomblé, a voodoo derived Yoruba based religion which traveled to Brazil with African slaves in the 16th century. At the age of 8, he was chosen to be an Ogan, a key spiritual player within the terreira (compound) within which the ritual worship of syncretic African/Catholic Gods takes place.
The Ogan has many responsibilities within the house. He makes the ‘cuts’ offering the blood of various animals to the different gods, feeding and thus strengthening their power and energy. The Ogan opens the door to visitors, plays the percussion within the ceremonies and rituals, raising the energy of the space. He looks after the participants in trance. He holds the energy of the house. Usually he does not go into trance - he is the watcher, the bodyguard, the protector and the carer of the energy within these occult manifestations.
Jefferson has a guide in his journey, that of the Mãe de Santos (mother of the saints) Iara, who is the head of this terriera. Mãe Iara is in her early forties. She has spent the past 18 years in the religion of Candomblé, and now takes responsibility for the running of all affairs and the attending of all clients in need. This year she has made radical changes. She has taken the whole terreira and moved it from a hectic poor suburb, where the energies were often interrupted both by her three children, her husband or her unwieldy clients. She has moved the Terreira from this suburban sprawl to the country side. And she is constructing a new terreira by a river near a forest.
This year she will inaugurate the space with a celebration of 14 years of being a mãe de santos. This is a vital celebration in honour of the gods and is already four years late in happening, due to financial restrictions. We will film this ceremony which takes 15 days, through the eyes and the guiding vision of Jefferson, her right hand man. The youngest and in many ways amongst the most mature member of her Terreira, a boy of 10 with the composure of a 50 year old.
We will watch Jefferson as he dedicates all his energy to the positive fruition of the event. We will talk with him about the past, present and future of his life. We will journey with him into the quarto dos santos (room of the saints) where all of the offerings are kept, and where the saints eat the sacrifices in peace. Through his eyes, we will gain a unique perspective on this shrouded faith, and the inimitable experience of a young life in the making.
