by James Weeks | Jul 14, 2011 | Blog
My little brother Kehinde Elutilo and one of his chickens
A blaze of fire – the fire of rage. When I witnessed a friend explode in rage and anger at his own family it forced me to stop and reflect. It also depressed me and slowed me down for a few days. One Yoruba proverb says: “Ibinnu ko se nkankan fun eni” (anger doesn't do anything for anyone). The proverb goes on to say: “agba t'o ni suuru, oun gbogbo lo ni”. (The elder who has patience, has everything).
Although it's easy for us to see how drugs/alcohol destroys lives. It's not easy for us to see the impact or rage/anger and how it has the potential to destroy us – everything. I told my friend that he was destroying his family, his future, himself. I share this story because I believe that our failure to master basic life skills are at the heart of much of our troubles.
Yes, the system is real. Yes, the enemy is real. But what about the enemy within? When will he/she be confronted?
When I am asked what the goals are for this film, I have different answers depending on what I'm feeling at the moment. Yes, Across The King's River will showcase the healing and spiritual traditions of the Motherland. Yes, Across the King's River is ultimately a film about finding and fulfilling your life's purpose. And yes, Across The King's River will draw attention to the crisis of endangered cultures and languages and what humanity has to lose.
But beyond the goals mentioned above, I have another goal – a modest one. I hope this film brings you peace.
by James Weeks | Jul 4, 2011 | Blog
James Weeks, Producer Across The King's River
The more I travel on this journey as filmmaker and spiritual seeker, the more I firmly believe in the power of simplicity and “basic moves” – simple practices/daily rituals, or attitudes that enhance the probability of our success. I strongly believe that we must uproot negativity wherever we find it – in our hearts, our minds – or from the mouths or minds of those that wish us ill – and even those that wish us well.
As I gathered the courage to begin working on my film years ago, my Mom said “Who would be interested in a film like that?” Though in her heart she might have been trying to protect me from the possibility of failure, she was also hampering my growth. All praise to the ancestors that I refused to listen.
The inner voice – pay attention to that voice. This is the voice that will bring you new life, opportunities, the ability to thrive when so many around you are unknowingly dead.
by James Weeks | Jul 3, 2011 | Blog
Director, Stanley Nelson
Although it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it’s highly probable that we’ll get funding in the very near future to continue working on Across The King’s River. So far the production schedule requires us to spend at least 2 weeks in Nigeria, one week in Senegal, one week in Burkina Faso, one week in the Caribbean and one week in Egypt.
Up until this point, our focus has been on building awareness and generating support for the project – soon the focus will be on the creative process of weaving all elements of the story together and being absolutely clear about the story/or stories we wish to tell. We’ll be traveling with a small crew: Myself, Stanley Nelson, the director, and Tupac Saavedra, director of photography.
The upcoming trip to Nigeria will mark my fourth trip to this country. Nigeria “le bi oju eja” means Nigeria “is hard like the eye of a fish.” Indeed, Nigeria is a tough country. But it’s also a country where I’ve discovered a lot tenderness and spiritual insights. I would not be who I am nor where I am without the spiritual help of the orisas and the major Ifa priests who work each day to help bring this vision alive.
