Director Jessica Sherry in attendance!
If you had never heard of
an airplane or a refrigerator, would you think it was a miracle when one
arrived? When the American military landed on a remote island in the
South Pacific during World War II, the islanders were amazed by
America’s fantastic cargo – planes, trucks, refrigerators, canned food.
They thought such goods could only come from the Gods. Led by the
mysterious prophet John, a religion was born, the John Frum Movement,
also known as a Cargo Cult.
The John Frum Movement still exists
in one village in the islands of Vanuatu; the leaders still go to speak
with the spirit of John in sacred caves and believers sing songs about
him every Friday night. While the US may have forgotten Tanna Island,
the American flag flies high over the village of Lamakara and young men
march in formation, imitating US soldiers. Lamakara is the last
stronghold of the John Frum Movement, but today it is plagued by outside
pressures and internal conflict. WAITING FOR JOHN explores this
extraordinary religion from the perspective of the last village of
believers, as they struggle to preserve their way of life. In the
process this film asks, where do prophets come from? And what makes
people believe?