iilnitskiy There's actually not so much science in the movie. And I must say, the critics, criticizing the methods used by the healers in the movie and comparing them to the official science and medicine, have their point. However, it's very natural for the people, who have nothing more to expect from official medicine, to try whatever they can to save their lives. They have hope (thanks God), and the movie shows that it's actually possible to cure or at least ease the decease with such alternative methods. Even if not for everyone, on a set of people shown in the film the results are rather impressive.Maybe it's just so good filmed, that the healers don't look like people, making a big buck on very sick and desperate people. They actually look like people who are not only trying to help and heal, but also like people, who truly believe in their methods and the power of Amazon nature. And the psychological transformations of the patients are also very convincing and I found them remarkable. The movie shows life in a camp, located in the middle of pure, stunning Amazon nature, which is a whole adventure by itself already. Having watched this, I found myself thinking about preciousness of life, of nature, about willingness to help, about will to be cured, about finding peace, about reasons for being sick or healthy, about readiness to care for the others and so on. If this is something, that interests you too, then I think you will like this movie.

burnsker This documentary gives a different point of view. It's not a tale of the miracle of modern medicine and it's not an hour long commercial for a quack's "alternative" cure. It's simply following some first world sick people as they attempt to heal themselves using herbalistic traditions in Peru.So to that point, the film was kind of boring to watch. I wish there was a little more history about herbalism or the people of the area. But the film is simply interviewing and following those who in their little camp. The healers and the sick. 8 people and a few shamen (and a budding shamen).It was cool to see what could happen in this setting. In the thick of the jungle rather than an expensive resort or meek hospital. I think this film can give people a realistic perspective. The treatment seemed to work for things that we already know is reversible/salvagable such as type II diabetes, IBS, mental health issues and some neuromuscular disorders. If I had these problems and couldn't find an answer -- this would also be my last resort and I would take the chance!Unfortunately, as we could all predict, this stuff didn't seem to help more serious conditions. But if I had a cancer, did everything I can, and was just at my wit's end -- a trip such as the one documented would definitely change my life perspective and would be worth while. Not necessarily for my disease, but just for myself as a human who desires self-actualization and to live the rest of my life with rich, beautiful perspective!I give this 6 stars. It wasn't too bad. It was authentic. Can spark some conversations. And the point was to reveal that there is no "science" to this, which is unfortunate. The creators hope this film can encourage MORE scientific documentation on healing arts. I wouldn't give it more stars because it's not exactly a thriller. I would only watch this when bored (which I did. watched while I was cleaning my room). Wouldn't make the intent to watch this for fun or educational purposes. Only if I were leading some sort of healing arts conference or class or something.yep. That's my 2 cents.

Nicolas D (nicorbit) This review will sound somewhat personal because of my sincere interest and involvement in the subject matter: I took part in an Ayahuasca Weekend (3 ceremonies) with shamans trained in Peru by Ricardo Amaringo and I also frequently use my own plant mix in a smokable blend (including a famous tryptamine dubbed "The Spirit Molecule" ;) ) that contains Ayahuasca leaves, mullein and cannabis.Therefore, although my experiences with actual trained shamans are very few, I claim to know a bit about such Altered States of Consciousness.With that being said, it becomes obvious that the negative reviews written before this one are akin to people who are virgins discussing the pro's and con's of Sex, if you catch my drift ;-)To claim that using such psychoactive substances is "to fool yourself"... well... is TO FOOL YOURSELF indeed !The very point of those psychedelics (check the etymology of that term, btw) is that they dissolve sub-conscious barriers and personality structures to confront your own "Deeper Truths", to see Who and What You truly IS. There is an increasing body of scientific evidence that explain simply and elegantly HOW and WHY Ayahuasca and other traditional plant remedies WORK (not on ALL cases, but on many !). One only needs to NOT BE close-minded about it (...) and do proper research ;-) It is related to the limbic system, allostatic load, and so on.So, to talk a bit about the film itself, although it is not perfect, I found that it was apparently a sincere effort with notable qualities.I recommended it to plant medicine lovers and skeptics alike, even though it is very clear that such topics are very hard to apprehend without a personal experience. Which explains the obvious polarity in the reviews on different sites...Overall recommended, especially as it is not excessively long.

Sophia Aragon One of the reviewers claims to have worked in medical "settings" in one form or another for many years. She(?) is also in awe of this movie and it is not difficult to understand why. She tells us. She has endured and still is enduring the traumatizing personal drama that is to face death. Her words also tell us what is cruelly wrong about this documentary.First of all, modern science is fundamentally different from "traditional" healing in that it removes randomness by means of the scientific process. If acupuncture (or whatever other "traditional" practice) is ever considered to have merit in modern medicine, it is because it will have been tested formally, with rigor, and found to deliver specific outcomes. Furthermore, were acupuncture ever to be found able for (again) specific purposes, it would not show that "traditional" medicine was right all along. It would simply show that modern medicine is able to separate fact from fiction... to everyone's benefit.Second, there are many afflictions (e.g. appendicitis) that modern medicine cures routinely even though they were deadly until only a few decades ago. Our grandparents saw their peer die for comparatively very little. The forest was always there, the wizards and incantations were always there, acupuncture was always there, and so were the corpses.Are there limits to science? Evidently.Are there faults on how those of us in modern societies participate in the medical establishment, whether as practitioners or patients? Absolutely.Is it consequently the case that we should turn to voodoo when we are faced with a disease that forces us to prepare for the most frightening journey? Clearly not. It is repugnant to even suggest it because it reveals a desire to profit from despair.And this is what this documentary shows. Desperate people being taken advantage of when they are most vulnerable.