A Cinematic Exploration of Shamanic Practices in Europe

Shamanism is one of humanitys oldest spiritual traditions, offering profound insights into healing, community, and ecological interconnectedness. Despite its historical significance, contemporary European shamanic practices remain largely overlooked, often marginalized by misconceptions and a lack of visual documentation. This research project aims to explore and represent contemporary European shamanism through a trilogy of ethnographic documentary films, shedding light on the resilience and transformation of these spiritual traditions in the modern world. The project situates itself at the intersection of expanded cinema, ethnographic filmmaking, and visual anthropology, emphasizing the power of moving images to reveal alternative epistemologies and non-Western knowledge systems. By adopting a slow, observational cinema approach inspired by cinema vérité, the research will capture the lived experiences of three shamans and their communities, illustrating their practices, beliefs, and adaptation to contemporary societal challenges. Through long takes and immersive audiovisual storytelling, the project seeks to create an intimate, sensorial engagement with these spiritual traditions. At the heart of this investigation are critical questions: How do contemporary shamanic practices provide individuals with a sense of agency and connection to the natural world? In what ways do these practices counteract the alienation and disenchantment prevalent in modern society? How have they adapted to the pressures of globalization and commercialization? By addressing these questions, the project contributes to a broader cultural discourse on spirituality, sustainability, and the preservation of intangible heritage. Beyond academia, the project has significant cultural and social impact. The research findings will be shared through multi-screen film installations, public talks, essays, and workshops in collaboration with national and international institutions. By bridging visual anthropology with expanded cinema, the project aims to foster a deeper public understanding of shamanic knowledge, challenging stereotypes and offering new perspectives on spirituality in contemporary Europe. Ultimately, this research will not only expand the academic discourse on shamanism but also serve as a visual archive of these traditions, ensuring their visibility for future generations. The projects outcomes will contribute to cultural preservation, empower indigenous and alternative spiritual communities, and open new avenues for dialogue on ecological and spiritual sustainability in the 21st century.