[Miguel Heded Abraham lives with his family in Chile, where he handled pre-production (and later post) on Amazonia: Healing With Sacred Plants, before heading off to the Amazon watershed with Alberto Villoldo to direct the film. Here he writes about the experience.]
As a filmmaker, directing Amazonia was a unique experience. Spending time on the Madre de Dios, a river that feels more like a lake in the deep jungle, creates a rich visual and aural environment for me to capture the emotions and spiritual experiences that all of the interviewees and crew experienced during the making of the film. We were quite literally overwhelmed by the power of Mother Earth, the pachamama, at her best and most awe-inspiring.
Miguel Heded Abraham (left) with Amazonian Shaman Edison Panduro Rumayna
Working with the film’s star, Alberto Villoldo, is always a great pleasure, and a profound learning experience. His energy and wisdom penetrate the camera in a very magnetic way. I sometimes feel that his words are full of light and that’s why the audience loves to listen and see him.
I really enjoyed making this film. It was very moving emotionally to hear the testimonies of so many people making quantum leaps in their lives through the discovery of the power of the sacred plants of the Amazon. Co-star Marcela Lobos was so honest and direct with her experience in the jungle ceremonies and the shamans were so open and willing to share their knowledge that I feel as though the film is a compelling invitation to get on a boat and travel with us along the Madre de Dios…