The world impression of conventional tattooing and the necessity to finish its stigma is explored in upcoming feature-documentary “Treasure of the Rice Terraces,” directed by Filipino-Canadian Kent Donguines.
The movie sees Donguines embark on a journey of self-discovery and report the oral historical past recounted by 106-year-old Indigenous tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od, who was not too long ago an unlikely cowl star of Vogue Philippines.
The movie explores how the previous practises within the Kalinga area, as soon as banned and despised in Philippine society, have now developed into an elegant and in-demand kind of physique artwork that has turn out to be a supply of delight and belonging for a lot of Filipinos. It additionally delves into the problems of stolen mummified our bodies, cultural appropriation, stigmatization, and discrimination confronted by tattooed people.
Now taking pictures in Manila and the mountainous Kalinga area, the movie is directed by Donguines (“Paco,” “Kalinga”) and written by Donguines and Zlatina Pacheva (“Run the Burbs,” “Kim’s Convenience”).
“Treasure” is produced by Jacob Crawford and Bailey Wood, co-produced by Patti Lapus (“Triangle of Sadness”), Bianca Balbuena (“Singing in Graveyards”) and Grace Palicas. It is government produced by Lars Krutak, (“Tattoo Hunter,” “Ta Stekia: Istories Agoraiou Politismou”). Cinematography is by John Fleming (“Kalinga,” “Brown Enough”) with Oswaldo Lopez Dantes (“Crescendo,” “Wallpaper,” “Petty Crimes”) as editor.
Credited manufacturing firms are Aimer Films and Crawford Filmworks. In its early phases, Treasure of the Rice Terraces was developed by means of SizzlingDocs Doc Accelerator program and acquired improvement help from Rogers Group of Funds, Creative BC and Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office. Later, Knowledge Network and Canada Media Fund got here on board.
A teaser trailer may be seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nXPvXir32VE
“As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian, I perceive the significance of identification and belonging, and the will to reconnect with one’s roots. Growing up, tattoos have been discouraged in my household, however as I turned unbiased, I discovered a love for the artwork kind and found deeper private that means behind every tattoo. I now really feel safe in my identification as a Filipino as a result of I get to hold my tradition with me wherever I’m going,” mentioned Donguines.
“I’ve all the time been fascinated by tattoos. The idea appears so easy, but they’re a few of the most advanced types of artistry, with that means and tradition that goes again centuries,” mentioned Crawford.
“The present Philippine administration is poised to let China take over the nation. Never has the time been riper to interrogate our nationwide identification,” mentioned Lapus. “At this juncture in our historical past, [the rediscovery of cultural identity and national pride] has turn out to be greater than a mere private exploration, however an overt and proactive political act.”
Treasure of the Rice Terraces (Aimer Films)
