Ancient Roots of Modern Medicine

Filming with Dr. San Juana Mendoza:
Over the months we worked with San Juana in her clinic, we grew to love her passion for her work to improving the lives of her patients. She strives to heal the entire person, providing dignity and self-reliance as well as medical advice. She says as people move closer to the US border, they tend to forget their traditional ways of using healing herbs.

Prisciliano and Rosalina's Family:
Dr. Mendoza helped us find a family who could serve as an example of how borderland people blended the use of healing herbs with modern medicines. She led us to Rosalina Sanchez Medoza (left) and her husband, Prisciliano Cortes Cruz. Their story was so compelling we taped with them in several locations. They are pictured here with Prisciliano's mother and two children.

Customs at Mexican Airport:
Jeanne and Patrick's documentary work has taken them around the world several times, but this was the first time they traveled with a baby as a part of the "cast." It was a delight to watch the family adjust so quickly to life on the road.

New Experiences "On Location":
Taping this production was filled with lots of "firsts" for the Prisciliano family. It was their first time on an airplane, and their first chance to return to Rosalina's village since the birth of her four children. They traveled like pros and never complained about the long days.

Taping an Annual Village Celebration:
We taped in the village during their feast for the patron saint. The color, music, and fireworks during the day made great video. But we were dismayed to learn it literally went on for 48+ hours in the front yard of the building where we stayed. It rattled the windows and beds with no stop during our entire stay in the village.

Handmade Flags Given as Gifts:
On the feast day for the patron saint, young children take first communion, and then celebrate by giving away flags and flowers they have made to all their neighbors and family. There was a rush for these gifts, requiring some quick camera work from Patrick to capture the excitement before it was over.

Villagers Value Children's Gifts:
Villagers believe a gift from a child taking first communion will br ing luck all year. The local villagers were not a bit camera shy as we taped them gathering and then showing off their good luck gifts.

Filming a Local Carving:
The fanciful wooden carvings (known as alebrijes) are easily recognized icons for Oaxaca. There were so many delightful creations, it was hard to select which ones to tape - or buy. Naturally we came home with a suitcase full.

Oaxacian Healer:
Amada Aguilares is the curandera (healer) for her entire village and surrounding area. She lives some distance outside the town in a wild area so she can be closer to her medicinal herbs. There was no phone in the village, much less in her simple hut, so it was impossible to be sure our "star healer" would even be home during the time we were on location. But clients always drop in unannounced, so she didn't seem surprised to see us climbing up her hill.

Local Healer and Medical Doctor:
It was wonderful to see the professional respect between Rosalina's two "doctors." San Juana (far right) has a medical degree and Amada Aguilares (green hat) has centuries of traditional knowledge. They happily discussed various herbs and their experiences treating rare and difficult cases.

Two Healers Share Family's Care:
In the village, the curandera (healer) is almost a family member. Therefore, it was only natural for Rosalina (center blue blouse) to introduce her youngest daughter, Irali, to the curandera who had cared for her as a child. Rosalina's mother and sister are on the far left.

The Healer with Former Patient's Daughter:
The village curandera (healer), Amada Aguilares is pictured here with Irali, Rosalina's daughter. Amanda was the only 'doctor' Rosalina knew from the time she was Irali's age. Therefore, holding Irali was like turning back the hands of time for Amada.

Patrick Eating Mole:
Oaxaca is world famous for its mole - a mixture of chocolate and chile peppers. Most restaurants feature at least seven distinctive types, each with totally different flavors. Patrick never missed an opportunity to sample the local delights. He wrote a magazine article about the savory experiences.

Colorful Waiting Spot:
Being "on location" is usually quite physically demanding for Patrick Holian, the videographer, co-producer and writer for this show. So when we needed someone to watch the van full of TV gear while others bought supplies, Patrick agreed to "stand guard" and sat in the only protection he could find from the 100+ degree noon day sun.

Patrick Outside Oaxaca:
As we travel to and from our destination, we always slow down at each vista to see if it offers a unique view of the region. This overview was especially nice as we could see the agricultural areas, the small village and church, and the distinctive mountain.

Series Ends in Pittsburg:
This was the last shot on the last location of Ancient Roots - Modern Medicine. The series had taken us from blazing hot Jordan to a tropical island to the arid lands of Mexico. Therefore, it seemed a bit strange ending our production in a snow blizzard at a medical research lab in Pittsburg. It's this type of variety that makes documentary production something you can do for a lifetime.