DVD
Between two worlds : the Hmong shaman in America
Languages
In English and Hmong, with English subtitles.
Performers
Narrated by Dwight Conquergood.
Publication Information
[Portland, OR] : Collective Eye, Inc., ©2010.
Physical Description
1 videodisc (27 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in.
Audience
Not rated.
Summary
"Documents the Hmong refugees who have been transplanted from their agrarian mountain villages in northern Laos to cities in the U.S. Often living in high-rise tenements, they bring their ancient shamanic rituals and ceremonies to urban America. In such unlikely settings, trance-like healing and animal offerings are practiced as they were back home. The documentary captures rare and dramatic footage of the Hmong buying and sacrificing a cow in rural Illinois to save a sick baby in a metropolitan hospital. It shows the attempts of a missionary to convert a traditional Hmong family. It also explores Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome in which young Hmong men have died in their sleep for no apparent medical cause"--Distributor website.
Notes
Originally produced in 1984.
"This program was made in fulfillment of Master's Degree requirements of the Department of Film and Video, Columbia College, Chicago"--Credits.