Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses

Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses is a gripping 2015 New Zealand documentary directed by David Stubbs. The film centers on the haunting true story of Janet Moses, unfolding her tragic tale through a mix of dramatic reenactments and interviews with former investigators and family members. This real-life drama with a ghostly twist hopes to shed light on a hushed-up episode of New Zealand's history, triggering conversations about cultural traditions, faith, and mental health.

The film itself serves as an inquest, delving into a deeply troubling event from Wellington in October 2007. Janet Moses, a young Maori woman and mother of two, died in a controversial incident widely reported as a 'Mākutu lifting,' a traditional Maori exorcism ritual believed to cleanse those affected by curses. Although this tragic incident made headlines over a decade ago, Stubbs' directorial endeavor attempts to dig deeper into the story, seeking a profound understanding of the circumstances and cultural contexts leading to this unfortunate event.

Starring Tangaroa Te Ariki, Viv Babbington, and Vivien Bell, Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses introduces us to a complex set of characters. These performers deliver a compelling portrayal of divided and conflicted family members grappling with concepts of Good, Evil, and belief in the supernatural.

The key element that differentiates Belief from conventional documentary films is its hybrid approach, combining the intensity of drama with the stark realism of documentary storytelling. The movie alternates between carefully constructed reenactments, featuring actors portraying the fateful event’s significant characters, and interviews with a range of people closely associated with the incident, including law enforcement officers, legal professionals, and family members.

Navigation between these two narrative constructs offers viewers a unique insight into the physical, emotional, and mental states of the people involved, thereby providing an intimate glimpse into the series of events that transpired during those fateful days. This combination serves to provide the audience with a rich and engaging narrative.

While the film's narrative centers around Janet Moses’s unfortunate demise, it cleverly uses this incident as an entry point to examine broader themes. Among these themes are cultural misunderstanding, ill-informed societal perceptions of indigenous rituals and customs, and the often crossed lines between belief and fanaticism. Central to this exploration is the notion of Mākutu or the traditional Maori belief in curses and the rituals to remove them. The term is of significant cultural and spiritual importance in Maori communities, and the film takes great pains to flesh out its nuanced interpretations and understandings.

In his quest to depict an authentic representation, Stubbs refrains from passing judgment on the players involved. Instead, he puts forth the facts, opinions, and perspectives, allowing the audience to interpret and make sense of it independently. This balanced approach emphasizes the movie's study of communal responsibility and the tremendous power that fear and belief can hold over people's minds.

In exploring aspects of social, communal, and cultural identities, the film underscores the importance of mental health. It subtly hints at the need for a scientific lens to understand what transpired while also underscoring the importance of respecting and acknowledging cultural contexts and sensitivities.

On the technical front, the film features fluid cinematography which, when combined with the effective use of sound and lighting, keeps the viewer hooked to the narrative's tone. The atmospheric camera work and moody score lend depth to the harrowing story, intensifying it without sensationalizing the elements.

In summary, Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses provides an insightful glimpse into the intriguing cultural dynamics of New Zealand, particularly its indigenous Maori population. It is a haunting exploration of the grey area between spirituality and fanaticism, faith and obsession. While the narrative respects the sacred history and practices of the Maori, it gives no quarter to the abuse or misuse of such practices leading to harm or loss of life. Even as it prods at the boundary of our understanding, the movie also serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences when belief aligns with fear to sway rational judgment.