© R. Canals / CNRS
Novembre 2007

Reference

1891

Many faces of a Venezuelan goddess (The)

María Lionza is the most popular Goddess in Venezuela. Several individuals belonging to very different social circles maintain particular links with her image. In the Venezuelan mythological universe this Goddess is an exceptional case because, depending on the representations, she is represented as an Indian, mixed race, white and black woman. Sometimes she is a beneficial entity and sometimes an evil one.
The individuals in this documentary offer a portrait of the rich symbolism of Maria Lionza, and highlight some of the roles her image plays in contemporary Venezuelan society, and some of the ethnic, religious and social conflicts which characterize this society.
At the end of the film, at an opening of an exhibition on María Lionza, all the images shown during the film coincide in one space.

Duration

00:55:00

Production year

Définition

SD

Color

Color

Sound

Sound

Version(s)

French
English
Spanish

Original material

Video DV Cam

Director(s)

Roger CANALS

Production

Scientific topics

CNRS Images,

Our work is guided by the way scientists question the world around them and we translate their research into images to help people to understand the world better and to awaken their curiosity and wonderment.