On Sunday, October 6, Buenos Aires witnessed the world premiere of Ayahuasca Now: Voices of a Silent War, a powerful documentary directed by Argentine filmmaker Carlos Cejas and produced by Mario Stecher. Featuring original music by the legendary Gustavo Santaolalla, the film explores the healing of war veterans through ayahuasca, an ancient medicine used in the Peruvian Amazon.

Veterans Seeking Healing in the Amazon Rainforest

The documentary follows the journey of veterans of Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq who, carrying the emotional trauma of war, travel to the Amazon in search of healing through ayahuasca. Throughout the film, Cejas captures both the beauty of nature and the complexity of the human mind, in a deeply personal journey that seeks to heal the invisible wounds of war. Inspired by the classic Apocalypse Now, the film offers an intimate reflection on the ravages of war and mental health.

Gustavo Santaolalla: The Soundtrack that Moves

One of the highlights of Ayahuasca Now is the original music composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, the multi-award-winning Argentinian musician who has worked on films such as Babel and The Secret in Their Eyes. Santaolalla provides a soundtrack that heightens the documentary’s emotions, enveloping the viewer in a deep and reflective atmosphere that enhances the healing narrative.