Sebastian’s Voodoo
1 John 316 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
A friend referred me to this 4 minute video called Sebastian’s Voodoo by Joaquin Baldwin. (Baldwin is an animator from Paraguay, currently living in Los Angeles. He has received nearly 100 awards for his animated film Sebastian’s Voodoo.) The CGI is brilliant and the storyline provocative. It’s a tad dark in its look and feel but has a great redemptive theme at the end. At the very least, the video makes you think.
One person commented on the video: “… as a more universal tale, Sebastian’s Voodoo serves as a powerful metaphor about obligations that are embedded in our kindred relationships. At this level, the film’s story represents a challenge for us to find in our own natures the capacity to protect others from imminent dangers, as well as the ultimate question of how far we would actually go to save our friends.”
I am not sure what message the director intended ultimately (if you do, please comment), but as a follower of Jesus, it’s too clear to miss. The metaphor I see is even more powerful than “kindred relationships” as the above commenter mentioned. For me, this is what I see: Jesus, motivated by love, laid down his life for humanity, defeating Satan and the power of death. And because our hearts have come alive by Christ’s death and resurrection, we can and must show Jesus to the world by loving and sacrificing ourselves for others.
I am not sure how you feel, but when I see things like this, it makes me repent. Do I love like this? Do I show Jesus like this? My love is so mild, so watered down, so fickle, so conditional. Help me to love as you love Lord.
It also reminds me of the spiritual battle at hand. Satan is real and working. But Jesus, the Divine Warrior, is also real and working and is more powerful than the evil one. How we need to be vigilantly praying for more people to be rescued from the clutches of death!
How are you blessed/challenged by this video?
I'm a pastor-husband-dad. This blog is a literary outlet for my thoughts & feelings. I hope all that is written here will ultimately point to His Redemption Story.
HoJin
16 Mar, 2010
P.Jong! The comment to follow is unrelated to this post (I hope to watch the video and process soon): I didn’t know you were ordained! Congratulations!!!
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PJong Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Thanks bro. Appreciate it.
Yes, watch the video. Well worth 4 mins. considering the fact we watch hours of far less quality stuff.
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Wendy
16 Mar, 2010
wow this is so powerful Pastor Jong! Thank you SO much for sharing!! It made me see just how little I love. And just as you wrote, “Help me to love as you love Lord”!
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Anonymous Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
btw, here’s what the director wrote about the title of the film:
zell777
@iwantcoolname It’s the character’s name, not the author’s. My name (the director) is Joaquin. The title is an allegory to Saint Sebastian.
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Joaquin Baldwin
16 Mar, 2010
Hey, this is Joaquin Baldwin, director/animator of the film. I get Google alerts when someone is posted about my film and I found this.
So to answer your question, I’m an atheist and I was aware that Christian/Catholics would see in this film the idea of redemption through Jesus. I was aware it would happen, but it was not my intention, and it doesn’t bother in the least.
The allegory to Saint Sebastian was just an extra layer of symbolism; martyrdom is the big theme of the film and the similarities between pins and arrows was very obvious, so I wanted to name him Sebastian.
The one thing I really disagree with is your last paragraph. The idea behind the film is not about hidden forces or intentions, it’s vivid physical consequences and how our actions can change the course of things, but we must take action and not pray for someone else to save us.
Thanks for featuring the film!
- Joaquin
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PJong Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Hello Joaquin,
I was not expecting the director of the film to comment! First of all, I know you don’t need me to tell you this, but the film is brilliantly made. You have a gift.
Also, thanks for clarifying your idea behind the film. I guess that’s where we would differ. But thanks for understanding that people will bring different worldviews to your film and interpret it accordingly.
Actually, I do agree with you in a sense. I believe that Jesus was a person of action whose voluntary entrance to live amongst and then die for humanity’s sins did indeed “change the course of things.” In fact, He changed the very course of history.
Thanks again for commenting and for your beautiful film.
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D Lee Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 10:49 am
First off, wow, the CG was very well done, I remember toiling in my graphics class in college, trying to get the lighting just right, and waiting forever for a 10 second clip to render. Hats off to you, this was really well done.
As far as the message is concerned, I see so many biblical parallels in this very short film, almost too many to talk about, but aside from what PJong said already, I am most blessed and stirred by what was depicted in how the voodoo master is defeated. What was meant for evil, what was meant to kill and destroy, is ultimately redeemed by this one doll who sacrificially gave himself to save other dolls who he never even met or heard about. One would think that a doll who is freed would simply run, but as Jesus is with all of humanity, He saw the suffering of those around Him first hand, and ultimately sacrificed Himself for every last person.
I actually think the most beautiful part of the film is seeing the enemy defeated, and the dolls freed, and as they dust themselves off, they go and find out the source of their freedom, they search for the reason that was the direct cause of their being liberated and freed from death and destruction, and as graphic as it is, the body of the doll, with a pin in his heart, I am reminded of Jesus crucified on the cross, and the time I came to realize that His death meant life for me.
Fantastic film. As a programmer myself, I enjoyed the meticulous and careful design, and as someone who recognizes the Spiritual parallels, I was really touched and reminded of the message that gives my life direction and purpose. Thanks for that!
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Alan K
17 Mar, 2010
Thanks PJong for posting, very moving indeed in that special way, for those who know Jesus.
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bekah
17 Mar, 2010
how cool that the director found this and is able to dialogue with you in this way!!! way cool. and again, i love ur blog pjong!! and what a platform to meet ppl!!!
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Lizz
17 Mar, 2010
Love the short film.
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Sotelo
20 Mar, 2010
I tip my hat to you, Joaquin.
Another great post, PJong.
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