AFRICA LEJANA
An exploration of spiritual transformation
by Ivan "Shie" Moreno

Africa Lejana presents a visual poem that pays  homage to the elements—earth, water, fire, air, and  the ether—serving as a conduit between the physical  and metaphysical worlds. Through the journey of Odu  Anla, the film illustrates Egungun's guidance towards a  mystical body of water, whose consumption, under the  rhythms of the batá drums, becomes a purifying ritual,  opening a portal to the realm of the Orisha Yemaya.  It is within this realm that Odu Anla is embraced by  Yemaya's guiding maternal life force. 

This short experimental film delves deep into the heart  of ancestral reverence and cosmic connectivity, led by  the Afro-Cuban religious concept of Egungun, spirits  of the deceased ancestors that guide and protect  the living. Ivan Moreno is an ordained Olorisha  practicing the Yoruba Lukumi traditions, which  connects him to his ancestors and Orisas, offering  a unique perspective on the symbiotic relationship  between living and spiritual forces. 

Accompanied by Moreno's rhythmic score, Marisol  Blanco, a renowned Afro-Cuban dancer, brings an  unparalleled depth to the film by embodying the spirit  of Yemaya. 

Floating in the deep waters listening to the pulse of its  heartbeat beating like a drum.

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Ivan “Shie” Moreno is an Afro-Cuban  multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges painting,  sound, performance, and ritual to explore the living  connections between spirit, nature, and community.  Rooted in Afro-Cuban cosmology, music, and  storytelling traditions, Moreno creates immersive  experiences that invite reflection, resonance, and  dialogue across cultures and generations.