The Andean Healer

A film by Richard Ladkani and Thomas Wartmann
© 2006 / 43 min (German+French) and 52 min (English) / Digi Beta / 16:9 / Stereo

The Bolivian nomadic healers of the Kallawaya people also call their country “Kallawaya” — the doctors´ land. Many famous medicine men were brought up here. Until this very day, the Kallawayas practice their ancient shamanian healing skills on their walk abouts through the entire area of South America. Their conception of the world that dates back to very ancient times even before the Inca Empire is a complex cosmology of myths, rituals and a profound knowledge on healing forces of plants, animals and minerals.

Aurelio, one of the last Andian healers, decides to instruct his oldest son Cerilo in the art of healing. However, not everyone has the gift to become a medicine man. Cerilo´s first long journey to the Inca stronghold on the Machu Picchu mountain will prove, whether Cerilo is meant to become one of the rare Kallawayan healers.

Awards and Festivals:
- Mountain Film Festival Domzale 2007 — Best Film in the Category "Nature and
__Culture"
- Mediterranean Environmental Award — Rome 2008