by James Weeks | Jul 20, 2011 | Blog
Man Playing Wedding During a Wedding Ceremony in Nigeria
“The constant soldier is never unready, even once/ This was the teaching of Ifa for Igbin, the snail, the courteous one./ Who was going to engage Ekun, the leopard in a sudden fight./ They said that Ekun was always ready for battle, and that Igbin should not engage him. One whom we cannot engage in battle, we leave to the Lord of Heaven” -Owonrin Otura, Sacred Verse of Ifa
This passage from our sacred texts sums up how I feel – or what I've become after being on the journey of this film for so long – a warrior who has become conditioned by time and adversity to stop at nothing. A warrior that has been conditioned by the elders in Africa to zero in on a target – and to remain focused until we hit that target. No matter what obstacles appear along the way – no matter how many times the warrior might be abandoned – or “left for dead.”
There is no vision without fire – the fire of adversity – the fire of doubt, the fire of loss – yet I believe the fire of our vision makes us better people – stronger and more resourceful. All who dare to fulfill the dream they've been entrusted with must befriend fire – and warriorship. What fire are you willing to confront? When?
by James Weeks | Jul 17, 2011 | Blog
Aseda, one of the 16 Major Ifa Diviners in the World
The image has been haunting me for days. The image of cancer eating away at Gene – my next door neighbor. An elderly man, a big, strapping man who until recently, seemed to be in good health. In my mind's eye, I still see him bustling about in the backyard, whistling and calling out to me from time to time from over the wooden fence. And I'll never forget all the times he tried to flirt with Stephanie, my wife. (I thought it was cute)
But that wasn't the man we found two days ago. Claudette, Gene's wife, called Stephanie and I to help lift him off the floor and back into bed. He groaned in agony; both feet were swollen. He was still dressed in pajamas and was barely able to recognize us.
As I looked at Gene I couldn't help but think of the elders in Nigeria – Aseda and Agbonbon – two master Ifa diviners that you'll meet in the film. I thought about them and I thought about all the ebos, the sacrifices they've done over the years to protect me and family from health problems and other disasters. At times it was hard for me to fully appreciate all their work because it can be expensive. (Although I would thank them, inside I would also grumble).
Gene's sudden deterioration was yet another reminder about how fragile this existence is – and how nothing must be taken for granted. Not this minute – not the next. His bout with cancer also inspires me to learn more about my elders and their lifelong commitment to Ifa and the healing arts. I am filled with gratitude. Where the elders and the orisas lead, I will follow.
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.
by James Weeks | Jun 24, 2011 | Blog
King's River poster
Last night I found myself praying to the egungun (the ancestors.) For what? For the energy to continue on this path. The truth is – beginning and maintaining a blog has been a struggle so far. Isn't Facebook enough? That's what I ask myself. And what about the past 4-5 years of working toward this film? Isn't that enough? The answer isn't what I want to hear – it's not enough.
And that's why I appealed to the ancestors. Although I once earned a living with words (working as a news reporter in the Virgin Islands) – I don't always feel inspired to write. I tend to do things when I feel inspired. But when the inspiration comes, it really comes and that's what I'm praying for.
I sense we are about to receive major funding for the film. Because I've been working so hard for so long, the thought of being so close to the “target” makes me feel like relaxing. But there will be no relaxing. Now is the time for a renewed sense of energy, and urgency and light.
