Crossword Genius

Believer in spirit of article and film on part of UK (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animist

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'believer in spirit' is the definition.
'animist' can be an answer for 'believer' (I have seen 'Pagan believer ' mean 'animist' so perhaps 'believer' could also mean 'animist'). I am unsure of the 'in spirit' bit.

'article and film on part of uk' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'a' (the indefinite article in English).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'film' becomes 'mist' (to film over is to mist or fog over).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'part of uk' becomes 'ni' (Northern Ireland).
'mist' put after 'ni' is 'nimist'.
'a'+'nimist' is 'ANIMIST'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for animist that I've seen before include "primitive worshipper?" , "One attributing souls to creatures, objects, etc" , "One who sees life everywhere" , "One attributing souls to many things" , "Believer in spirits" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app