The Shaman’s Apprentice

The Shaman’s Apprentice (2008) recalls actress Antoinette Pienaar’s magical-realist journey of transformation with the 92 year-old Griekwa ‘bush doctor’ Johannes Willemse. Karoo-born, Pienaar had always wanted to uncover the secrets of this vast and mysterious landscape, seemingly barren, yet teeming with life. It took a life-threatening illness to meet the herbalist who was to become her teacher. As it happens, ‘bossie doktor’ Johannes Willemse had seen her arrival in a dream some thirty years before. In this lyrical, pertinent film Pienaar speaks a universal language and connects on an almost primordial level. She tells of her recovery and growing awareness of nature, guided patiently by her mentor’s firm hand and gentle humour.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

alistairappleton.com THE MAN WHO DRANK THE UNIVERSE A film by Brown Eyed Boy & Alistair Appleton A 30 min documentary following Alistair’s experiences with ayahuasca, a powerful plant medicine used for thousands of years by the Amazonian shaman. In October 2004, Alistair, a British TV presenter and till then, tee-total Buddhist, agreed to drink this hallucinogenic tea with 10 other participants under the watchful eye of Argentinian psychotherapist Silvia Polivoy. His life was about to change for good.
Video Rating: 5 / 5