After understanding the idea of Voodoo and its role throughout Africa to preserve
religion throughout times of hardship, it is important to justify its significance on Santeria. The
religion is meant to be shrouded in secrecy which complicates the idea of learning and
understanding what the religion has to offer. Due to ancient traditions passed down for many
generations, much of Santeria and its relationship to Voodoo cannot be fully understood. The
three films that attempt to shed light upon Santeria and offer a westernized perspective on its
religion in practice would be the videos: Voodoo Kingdom, The King Does Not Lie, and Divine
Horseman. Toshi Matsushita and Angelique Kidjo filmed Voodoo Kingdom in an attempt to
help introduce people to Voodoo without disrupting certain beliefs. It was featured around 1997
where the video surfaced to the public. The King Does Not Lie was filmed by Judith Gleason
and Elisa Mereghetti showing many rituals and the impact it creates on these peoples’ lives. It
was released to the public in 1993.
Voodoo Kingdom shows an interesting perspective authenticating the origins of Voodoo
and other Puerto Rican and Cuban religions that coexist with one another in Santeria also known
to others as Regla de Ocha. This video helps show the first-hand experience into the villages that