A young girl is guided by Orishas (African Gods) on a spiritual experience during a summer visit to her grandmother's village in rural Brazil.

A young girl named Lili unites with her Afro-Brazilian religious ancestry on a summer visit with family to their ancestral village in rural Brazil. During her stay, she encounters Orishas (African gods) who help her find peace with a gift that has previously vexed her. The film is set in the Northeast of Brazil where Afro-Brazilian religious traditions remain strong. Lili's Grandma upholds Orisha traditions as an admired local priestess, but to ensure these traditions carry on after she passes, the gifted Lili is led on a mystical adventure of initiation through a nearby forest.

A film by Eliciana Nascimento

Brazil, 2014, Fiction,

starring Isabela Santos, Rosalina Santos, Lucas Santos, Carolina Su, Jamile Alves, Josi Reis

The Summer of Gods - Trailer from Eliciana Nascimento on Vimeo.

Director's Statement:
This film is very personal to me. I wrote it based on my relationship with my mother and our diverse experiences with ancestors and Orishas. The story represents my slow acceptance and initiation into my ancestors' religious traditions. When I set out to make this film, I couldn't find others like it. Now that it's done, the overwhelmingly passionate responses from audiences shows me we're hungry for more like it. As actor Danny Glover said in my fundraising video: "The world of cinema is missing stories like this." I'm proud that the universal themes in The Summer of Gods touch the hearts of both children and adults from different backgrounds and traditions. My hope is that an uplifting story rooted in African mythology like this one will spur folks to learn more about our traditions and find a firmer belief in themselves.

Running Time: 20 minutes 13 seconds
Format: 1080 HD
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 (16x9)
Sound: Dolby Surround 5.1

Cast:
Lili > Isabela Santos
Grandma > Rosalina Santos
Eleggua > Lucas Santos
Mother > Carolina Su
Yemanjá > Jamile Alves
Oxum > Josi Reis
Younger-Brother > Israel de Jesus
Older-Brother > Pablo Souza


Writer, Director & Producer: Eliciana Nascimento
DP & Co-Producer: Benjamin Watkins
Steadycam Operator: Maoma Faria
Music Composer: George Kallis
Costume Designer: Zuarte Junior
Hair and Makeup: Wilson Argolo
Supervising Editor: Pat Jackson
Sound Recordist: Anderson Santos
Sound Supervisor and Mixer: Dan Olmsted
Sound Designer : Jamie Branquinho
Foley Artist: Rodolfo Gutierrez
Colorist: Chris Tipton-King