Enchanted Ones

The Enchanted Ones, by Stephanie Pommez, is a visual tale unfolding along the banks of the Brazilian Amazon, the source of myths and culture of the Ribeirinhos, or river dwellers. The story speaks of a deep-rooted connection between a people and their environment. In this narrative, the line between reality and the unseen blurs, unravelling the mysteries of existence. These mysteries seamlessly traverse both the metaphysical realm and the observable world. Drawing from Indigenous, African, and Portuguese traditions, the Ribeirinho culture is steeped in myths that reflect the intricate relationships between the river, the forest, and its people. Central to these myths are the encantados - shape-shifting beings said to inhabit both the waters and forests. Stephanie Pommez weaves images and words into a visual tale that reinterprets these stories and explores parallel worlds beyond the visible. After spending years photographing and filming the work of traditional midwives in the Amazon, Stephanie Pommez understood that they were not only the custodians of life but also the keepers of culture. The midwives carry the narratives of the Ribeirinhos, passing down oral histories. The Enchanted Ones is an homage to this rich cultural tapestry. The use of film and the subtle imperfections of grain bring a tactile texture to the photographs, heightening their organic feel in the intimate atmosphere brought forth by the images.