Some say that a garanti talisman offers a direct connection with the gods, while others believe that ancestors need to act as intermediaries. Whatever the case, the result is the same: a garanti offers protection and brings happiness.
The island of Réunion is home to a lively trade in these “magical insurance policies”, which range in form from bracelets to simple pieces of fabric. Director Laurent Pantaléon wants to ensure the success of his film, so he embarks on a search for a suitable garanti. He interviews medicine men, vendors of spell books, and believers who swear by talismans and walk over fire. Pantaléon alternates the moving images with high contrast black-and-white stills highlighting details that might otherwise be missed.
The garantis bring together Christianity, Hinduism and Voodoo, reflecting the European, Indian and African heritages of the population. This blend of white and black magic, witchcraft and medical science offers certainty in an uncertain existence, and brings color to everday life in this island community.
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