She Is A Shaman | Full Ayahuasca Documentary (2025)

An Ayahuasca shaman balances hallucinatory rituals and her unusual daily life in this meditative documentary that explores the difference between the idolized shamanic figure and who they really are.

00:00 - Preparing for the ayahuasca ceremony at home
05:49 - Daylight Ayahuasca Ceremony
13:56 - Inside a shaman's home
17:40 - Shaman's dating history
21:18 - Ayahuasca tourism, spiritual ailments, and jungle shopping
29:59 - A former police officer becomes a shaman
32:42 - What is Ayahuasca?
35:25 - Jealousy amongst shamans
36:30 - Children and pregnant women drinking ayahuasca
39:05 - Wealth disparity and the paradoxes of wisdom
44:22 - "Shamans are scientists"
46:26 - How to brew ayahuasca in steps
53:14 - Night ayahuasca ceremony

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The Story/Director's Statement:

’She is a Shaman’ is a truly independent film. I financed this documentary using my personal savings.

The entire process felt almost like a fever-dream. I knew that it was wild to shoot my first-ever film abroad, in the Amazon rainforest, with a shaman who, in her words, "could not promise to film on time, because I do not have the same concept of time as you" - and yet - I felt an insatiable call to tell this story.

There are many incredible ayahuasca documentaries, but lost between a sea of self-healing miracles, and ‘watch-out-you’re-being-scammed-into-taking-a-bad-drug’ exposés, is a whole universe of weird, fascinating gray areas: the lives of the shamans themselves. Who is the person behind the shaman? What is their life actually like? When they’re not in robes and headdresses, what do they… do?

So I set out to the jungle with a five-person film crew, and six participants willing to share their intensely personal psychedelic experiences on camera.

The result was a profound glimpse into the strange, dedicated and paradoxical lives of the shamans behind one of nature's most powerful healers.

This film is for any and all who are interested in the nuances of nature's offerings, and I'd like to express deep gratitude to Estela Pangoza at Aya Madre Healing Center, for allowing me into her orbit with grace and openness.

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Soundtrack:
1. Home - Ella Zwietnig
2. Lost - Ella Zwietnig
3. Tape Loop Magic - Sam Clearing
4. Geometrìa Del Universo - Colleen
5. The Heart Harmonicon - Colleen
6. Pine Trees - Mary Lattimore
7. Gurgling Brook - Sam Clearing
8. Mt. Baker - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
9. The Unquestioned Answer - Laurie Spiegl
10. 13 Angels Standing Guard 'Round The Side Of Your Bed - Silver Mt. Zion
11. scène 2 - France Jobin

#ayahuasca #ayahuascaceremony #ayahuascashaman #shaman #ayahuascadocumentary #shaman #shamandocumentary

[nubbyjenn]

If we give space for women to make films like this about divine powerful shaman women - this world will heal. Thank you for making this film. It is medicine in its own right. The sound and the spaciousness of this project is so generous. The writing is placed so gently and it is a relief to experience a documentary which allows the viewer room to place their own mind at rest to receive. Thank you. Muchas gracias.

[astrobead]

A truly independent film about a truly interdependent Shaman. :) A place where woman centered power is thriving. All together and for everyone. Imagine that. Simple, direct and sensitive. It’s refreshing to be reminded of what good journalism looks like, which is staying out of the way so the story can tell itself. Great camera work and sound. The music tracks actually enhanced the storyline. Brava! Many thanks..

[laurieantonioli]

I'm so happy to see a film made by a woman about a female shaman. This is very important. Beautiful work -- I love the Shipibo and the medicine and have benefited greatly from their songs, the plants and the deep tradition that I hope is able to survive.

[helakuism]

You got the atmosphere of the village so well on the film. Very nice. Good energy.

[davidshapiro]

I'm only 20 minutes in. This film needs to be seen by more people. This is an exceptional work of art. I am fascinated by ayahuasca, shamanism, healing, the amazon, culture, and anthropology. This is literally the exact type of documentary I love. So glad I came upon an ad on instagram for this. Will certainly watch the whole film. Thank you to the filmmaker! <3

[ceruleandusk]

Victoria, this might be the best Ayahuasca documentary I've seen yet. So well made and at the same time so down to earth.

[lisalisa]

Beautiful film letting the jungle sing and the people be as they are with the soft voice over. The ending when the man bowed in reverence towards the shaman was deeply felt. Thank you for sharing.

[unjaded]

Occasionally my algorithm presents something compelling. In this case a rare gem and I am thankful💛

[niknak]

Estella is a very special lady... I had my very first cup of medicine with her in 2016 right before she started her center and she was still dealing with her abusive husband. So lovely to see how she is doing now! And shedding a short insight on the issue with the younger generations to continue down this path. Thank you for bringing her story and work in such a nice, yet raw, but very clear way.🙏💚

[Marc-AndréLafleur-vf]

I am going to the Aya Madré Healing Center in Iquitos this November 24th 2024 for an extended plant medicine retreat. I had seen the movie ‘’ The song that calls you home ‘’ but I am now thrilled to watch this ‘’ She is a shaman ‘’ documentary couple days before I take off this this plant medicine journey with Maestra Estella. Thank you for sharing this. Deep love. Marc

[berwidezenard]

This documentary was made so well and was very captivating 10/10

[rainbowsoniaemilia]

i like the style of your film. you have said everything that needs to be said with the simplicity of the filming and directness of your words. i congratulate you very much on this masterpiece. big bravo

[ghettofairy]

Stunningly shot and peacefully directed, this is a piece of art. Thankyou for sharing the earth magic of this powerful woman. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this.

[marciantessin]

Magical how you captured the stillness around it all. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️

[TheRexy]

It’s amazing to see the shamans process and what the ceremony is like. It was very brave of the shamans and participants to be filmed!

[sabinebaron]

What an respectful and profound documenary. Thank you for giving us insight in the life of this maestra ❤

[willswitchcraft]

Takes me back to my time in the Peruvian Jungle, where I sat with a 4th generation plant medicine healer for many (alternating) Shipibo men and women were truly who use all manner of plant medicine, not just Aya, to assist people. Such a dramatically difference approach and result from sitting with the Ayahuasca Tourism which has become so prevalent in the Amazon (young people from all over the planet who have very limited experience with the medicine, yet charge a premium to serve Aya to great to see this doc - hope it reaches all the right people • such a powerful medicine, at a time when the world truly needs it's wishes from the Canadian

[joelvinland]

Stunning in very way. Great cinematography and a nice balance of vistas and story telling. Also a great narrating voice. Beautiful, truly something to be proud of. God bless.

[annabetlinska]

This is the first film that I have ever watched on YT for more than an hour. Amazing documentary and thank you for sharing.

[aestasis]

This is beautiful. Thank you. I didn't think about the emotional load. So much more reverence now. Aho. Peace to all.