Films - RAI FILM

RAI FILM

Film list

[the-log-rafters-of-lake-aegeri--Film-image]

The Log Rafters of Lake Aegeri 2016 29‘

Material Culture Directed by Thomas Horat .

Aegeri, in a remote part of Switzerland, is one of the few lakes in Central Europe where professional log rafters can still be found. This film is based on the gentle observation of the work of a

Western Europe Material Culture Labour Rural

[the-secret-of-the-stone--Film-image]

The Secret of the Stone 2009 39‘

Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .

Located on the North China Plain about 200 miles south of Beijing, ‘Song Family Village’ is home to about 1,300 people. Some 80% of all villagers are members of a single lineage of the Song surname.

Central Asia and Far East Family / Kinship Collective / Community identity Ritual Festivals / Carnival

[masks-of-mer--Film-image]

Masks of Mer 2010 37‘

Directed by Michael Eaton .

The film Alfred Haddon made in 1898 in the Torres Straits, lasting for less than a minute, is the world’s first example of anthropological cinema. ‘The Masks of Mer’ tells the extraordinary story of

Australia History of Anthropology Film / Photography / Mass media Archival material / Museum displays Ritual

[nodas-launeddas-at-the-time-of-crisis--Film-image]

Nodas. Launeddas at the time of crisis. 2015 29‘

Intangible Culture Directed by Umberto Cao Andrea Mura .

Dating back 3000 years to the Nuragic civilisation on Sardinia, ‘launeddas’ are wind instruments that testify to contacts from across the Mediterranean. Although they nearly vanished in the 1960s, in

Western Mediterranean Music / Ethnomusicology Festivals / Carnival Intergenerational relations

[in-the-light-of-memory--Film-image]

In the Light of Memory 2010 40‘

Directed by Alyssa Grossman .

‘In the Light of Memory’ explores evocations of memory in contemporary post-socialist Bucharest, nearly twenty years after the fall of Romanian communism. The film is shot in Cismigiu Gardens, one of

South-East Europe Memory Post-communism

[unity-dress-scapes-of-accra--Film-image]

Unity: Dress-scapes of Accra 2016 37‘

Directed by Mara Lin Visser .

This is a film about African fashion in the capital of Ghana. African printed fabrics seem to making a comeback in the fashion system of Accra. While following Allan, a fashion designer and his wife

West Africa Trade Material Culture Art / Artists / Artisans

[daba-portrait-of-a-na-shaman--Film-image]

Daba – Portrait of a Na Shaman 1999 40‘

Directed by Hua Cai .

After more than a quarter of a century without any form of religious ceremony, the Na, an ethnic group living on the Himalayan plateau, began openly practising their religion again in the early

South-East Asia Education / Knowledge transmission Religion / Belief / Faith Shamans and Shamanism

[land-of-udehe--Film-image]

Land of Udehe 2015 26‘

Student Directed by Ivan Golovnev .

This film takes us into the world of Udehe – indigenous people of the Far East of Russia. According to the census of 2010, their population dropped to 1,490 souls…

Central Asia and Far East Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Change

[herat-films-the-city-of-herat--Film-image]

Herat Films: The City of Herat 1983 21‘

Directed by John Baily .

These videos were edited from seven hours of Super 8 film shot by John Baily during two years of ethnomusicological fieldwork carried out in the Herat region of western Afghanistan between 1973 and

Middle and Near East Urban Trade

[herat-films-the-shrines-of-herat--Film-image]

Herat Films: The Shrines of Herat 1983 30‘

Directed by John Baily .

These videos were edited from seven hours of Super 8 film shot by John Baily during two years of ethnomusicological fieldwork carried out in the Herat region of western Afghanistan between 1973 and

Middle and Near East Religion / Belief / Faith Urban

[return-of-the-nightingales--Film-image]

Return of the Nightingales 2013 33‘

Directed by John Baily .

In 2010 Afghan musicologist Dr. Ahmad Sarmast opened the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), a coeducational vocational music school in Kabul that teaches Afghan, Indian and Western

South Asia Music / Ethnomusicology Education / Knowledge Transmission Children / Young people

[sons-of-the-moon--Film-image]

Sons of the Moon 1984 25‘

Directed by Frank Speed Deirdre LaPin .

In isolated mountain hamlets in Nigeria’s Jos Plateau the Ngas have traditionally observed the movements of the moon in the night sky. The moon is a key symbol in Ngas cosmology, believed to

West Africa Religion / Belief / Faith Music / Ethnomusicology Everyday Life Ritual

[virtual-me-gender-and-identity-in-world-of-warcraft--Film-image]

Virtual me: Gender and Identity in World of Warcraft 2013 11‘

Directed by Trent Monahan Sarah Prothero Jennifer Torson .

‘Virtual Me’ examines the experiences of players of the online game World of Warcraft, focusing specifically on their experience and understanding of issues surrounding gender and identity within

North America Gender Role and Identity Animation Internet

[out-of-focus--Film-image]

Out of Focus 2013 37‘

Directed by Adrian Arcé Antonio Zirión .

This is a collaborative documentary about arts, culture and everyday life inside a prison for minors. It was shot during a photography and video workshop with young inmates at the Juvenile Community

Central America Children / Young people Prison Art / Artists / Artisans Reflexivity

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Southeast London Ethnography – Three Student Films: Anglesea Road; The Good Ol’ Days; Talk of Trade 2007 13‘

Directed by Elhum Shakerifar Ed Owles Jamie Taylor .

These 3 films on Southeast London were made by GCC college students who took a course in anthropology & film. ANGLESEA ROAD: Situated in Woolwich, South East London, Anglesea Road is a small

British-Irish Isles Urban

[smoke--Film-image]

Smoke 1991 28‘

RAI Basil Wright Directed by Maarten Rens .

The film deals with fish smoking in Monnickendam, a small town twelve miles north of Amsterdam. Using archival footage, interviewing old fishermen, and contrasting the traditional and the modern

Western Europe Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Food Archival material / Museum displays

[gelede-a-yoruba-masquerade--Film-image]

Gelede: A Yoruba Masquerade 1970 30‘

Directed by Frank Speed Peggy Harper .

Among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria and Dahomey the Gelede cult honours the earth spirits, the ancestors and especially the Great Mother. The festival filmed here emphasises the status of women and

West Africa Gender Role and Identity Ritual Festivals / Carnival Social Conflict

[kwagh-hir--Film-image]

Kwagh Hir 1975 30‘

Directed by Frank Speed Peggy Harper .

Four million Tiv people form the major culture of the Benue state of southern Nigeria. They are popularly known as the greatest democrats in Africa as their society is based on fraternal cooperation

West Africa Festivals / Carnival Dance / Theatre / Performance Ritual

[okinami--Film-image]

Okinami 2019 24‘

Directed by Can Tamura (aka John Wells) .

This film features a Japanese seaside ritual performed in honour of a marine deity, who is considered to hold the power to determine a safe and successful year of local fishing. This two-day event

Central Asia and Far East Festivals/ Carnival Urban Folklore Myths/ Fairy tales

[benin-kingship-rituals--Film-image]

Benin Kingship Rituals 1963 20‘

Directed by Frank Speed Ray Bradbury .

Until it was conquered by the British in 1897, the city of Benin, in what is now Nigeria, was the centre of a powerful kingdom. Its rulers, the Obas of Benin, were mysterious, secluded figures who

West Africa Ritual Dance / Theatre / Performance History

[sophia-and-her-people--Film-image]

Sophia and Her People 1985 35‘

Directed by Peter Loïzos .

Sofia and her family lost their village home in 1975 when Turkey invaded Cyprus. The film, mainly set in Nicosia in 1983, shows the pressures of refugee economic recovery through shift work in a

South-East Europe Refugees / Displaced populations Social Change Family / Kinship

[extended-family--Film-image]

Extended Family 2016 31‘

Student Directed by Ramona Sonderegger .

This films offers an intimate insight into the lives of two same-sex families who found a way to create themselves within a legal grey area in Switzerland. Swiss law bans adoption and access to

Western Europe LGBTQI* Family / Kinship Sex / Sexuality Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy

[forget-alberto-for-now--Film-image]

Forget Alberto For Now 2020 19‘

Directed by Beina Xu .

A refugee known only as Alberto flies from Athens to Brussels on a fake passport. Three years later, a small crew from Berlin tries to make a film by shooting the landscape of his transit. Things

Western Europe Western Mediterranean Reflexivity Migration Resettlement Refugees/ Displaced populations

[ghetto-psa--Film-image]

Ghetto PSA 2016 15‘

Special Interest Directed by Rossella Schillaci .

Jacob arrived in Italy alone from French Guinea when he was 11 years old. Today he is 27, and hip hop music is his whole world: it is his way to express dreams, hopes and frustrations, and to not

Western Europe Music / Ethnomusicology Migration Education / Knowledge Transmission

[a-donation-to-the-museum--Film-image]

A Donation to the Museum 2015 25‘

Directed by Teri F. Brewer .

Human remains from the California Channel Islands were donated to an English city museum nearly a century ago. More recently research began into how they came to be there, and whose remains they

North America Western Europe Archaeology Archival material / Museum displays

[breeding-cells--Film-image]

Breeding Cells 2009 39‘

Directed by Anna Straube .

Breeding Cells is a film about a reproductive laboratory. A fertility clinic is a place where human reproduction is separated from sex and anatomized into bio/technological components. There

Western Europe Reproduction (biology) Science / Technology

[horror-in-the-andes--Film-image]

Horror in the Andes 2019 33‘

Special Interest Directed by Martha-Cecilia Dietrich .

Horror in the Andes is a behind-the-scenes documentary that follows the process of making a horror movie in Ayacucho, Peru. Directed by audio-visual anthropologist Martha-Cecilia Dietrich, it

South America Art / Artists / Artisans Dance / Theatre / Performance Ethnofiction Film / Photography / Mass media Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples

[garden-days-village-in-papua-new-guinea--Film-image]

Garden Days: Village in Papua New Guinea 1988 25‘

Directed by Ariane Lewis Jon Jerstad .

A detailed account of domestic life in the Sepik area of Papua New Guinea, mainly from the women’s point of view. It describes their everyday activities in the ‘gardens’ in order to produce

Melanesia Agriculture / Farming Children / Young people Ritual

[together-as-one--Film-image]

Together as One 2013 39‘

Directed by Kilian Lamtur Tanlaka .

Nso’ is the biggest kingdom of the Western Grassfields and an ethnic group in the northeast corner of Cameroon’s northwest region. Its capital Kumbo is where the ruler (Fon) lives. The Nso’

Central Africa Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany Collective / Community identity Inter-religious relations

[fragments-from-the-past--Film-image]

Fragments from the Past 2006 27‘

Directed by Vedide Kaymak Hakan Demiralay .

In the days before DVD and satellite television, the cinema was important to London’s Turkish speaking population as a place to meet and as a link with home. Eight individuals recount their

British-Irish Isles Popular Culture Migration Film / Photography / Mass media

[boya-boya-shine-shine--Film-image]

Boya Boya (Shine Shine) 2014 18‘

Directed by Karen Boswall Ruba Al Akash .

A portrait of Syrian refugee Mohammed, a 12-year-old shoe shine boy, ‘Boya Boya (Shine Shine)’ looks at the reality of the growing population of urban refugees from a child’s point of view. While

Middle and Near East Children / Young people Refugees / Displaced populations Labour

[the-way-we-live-now--Film-image]

The Way We Live Now 2016 32‘

Student Directed by Sophia Hersi Smith .

‘The Way We Live Now’ is an intimate portrait of the daily routines and rituals of the Hadza; modern-day hunter-gatherers living in the acacia-baobab woodlands surrounding Lake Eyasi in North-Central

East Africa Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Everyday Life

[pepe--Film-image]

Pepe 2004 23‘

Directed by Juana Schlenker .

Pepe is a Spanish immigrant who came to England more than forty years ago to work as a waiter. After working in several restaurants and hotels, he retired two years ago and now he fills his days with

British-Irish Isles Migration Elderly people

[calcutta-calling--Film-image]

Calcutta Calling 2006 16‘

Directed by André Hörmann .

“Business Process Outsourcing” is the fastest growing industry in the world. In India, approximately 350,000 people are currently working in call centres to maintain the contact between western

South Asia Labour

[from-there-to-here--Film-image]

From There to Here 2019 30‘

Directed by Qi Yu Teo .

In 1949, the author’s young grandfather migrated from An Xi, China, to Singapore. Spending almost 70 years in Singapore, he has only been back home four times. As an immigrant from China,

Central Asia and Far East Migration Intergenerational relations Life Story / Life History

[cultivating-death--Film-image]

Cultivating Death 2003 23‘

Directed by Martin Gruber .

Cemeteries are not only places for the dead. They are also spaces in which the living interact with each other – and with the dead. “Cultivating Death” depicts the different ways in which

British-Irish Isles Death Ritual

[democracia-indigena--Film-image]

Democracía Indígena 2000 39‘

Directed by Bruce Pacho Lane .

This film examines the indigenous rights revolution sweeping Mexico through the municipal elections in Huehuetla, Puebla. In 1989, the Huehuetla Totonacs formed the Organización Independiente

Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Political Activists

[john-the-eel-trapper--Film-image]

John the Eel Trapper 1982 28‘

Directed by Toni de Bromhead .

The fens of East Anglia provide the scenery for this documentary. At the centre of the film is John, a solitary character, who makes his living by trapping eels in the numerous canals of the area.

British-Irish Isles Animals Hunting / Gathering / Fishing

[ocak--Film-image]

Ocak 2020 28‘

Directed by Zeynep Kaserci .

The story of a family who earns their livelihood as hazelnut cultivators in rural north-eastern Turkey. Filmed in an observational style, it offers glimpses into the local social life of the village

Middle and Near East Collective / Community identity Agriculture / Farming Rural

[tindaya-variations--Film-image]

Tindaya Variations 2018 40‘

Special Interest Directed by Isaac Marrero-Guillamon .

The mountain of Tindaya (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands) is more than a mountain. It was a sacred site for the indigenous people of Fuerteventura; later, its rock was quarried and sold for ornamental

Western Mediterranean Archival material / Museum displays Art / Artists / Artisans Environment Material Culture Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Archaeology

[the-veil-unveiled--Film-image]

The Veil Unveiled 2004 29‘

Directed by Vanessa Langer .

In Yemen, the land of Queen Saba, a wide variety of veils can be found. In the capital Sana’a, the women, although at first sight appearing to all be wearing but black, distinguish themselves one

Middle and Near East Gender Role and Identity Material Culture Religion / Belief / Faith

[campo-9--Film-image]

Campo 9 2013 25‘

Directed by Carlos R. Rivero Uicab .

Carlos, the director of the documentary, worked for four years with Abraham and his family of Mennonites who have lived in the Campeche region for over a decade. Abraham mainly worked cutting down

Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict Inter-religious relations

[duminea-a-festival-for-the-water-spirits--Film-image]

Duminea: A Festival for the Water Spirits 1966 20‘

Directed by Frank Speed Robin Horton .

The communal rituals of most villages of the Eastern Niger Delta focus on two great classes of spirits – the heroes and the water people. The heroes once lived with the men, founded their

West Africa Ritual Possession

[the-orchard-keepers--Film-image]

The Orchard Keepers 2014 24‘

Directed by Bryony Dunne .

Against the backdrop of political upheaval, an ancient network of orchards thrives in the mountains of the Sinai desert. Filmmaker Bryony Dunne shadows two Bedouins as they nurture their gardens and

North and Northeast Africa Environment Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany Rural

[room-11-ethiopia-hotel--Film-image]

Room 11, Ethiopia Hotel 2006 23‘

Directed by Itsushi Kawase .

The film recounts the life of children living on the street in Gondar, Ethiopia, by witnessing the interaction between two children and the filmmaker. The entire film was shot in the room of Ethiopia

North and Northeast Africa Children / Young people Squatter Settlements / Homelessness Informant-researcher relationship Reflexivity

[treasured-moments--Film-image]

Treasured Moments 2016 33‘

Student Directed by Ravi Hart Lloyd .

This is the personal story of a boy who grew up mixed in every aspect of his life, his parents, where he was from, his race. The black kid who thought that he was white. The white kid who thought

Caribbean Islands North America Family / Kinship Race / Racism / Antiracism Collective / Community identity Film / Photography / Mass media

[the-guest--Film-image]

The Guest 2012 20‘

Student Directed by Kira de Hemmer Jeppesen .

Following the personal story of a Danish first-time surrogate mother, ‘The Guest’ explores issues of maternal bonding, modern families, relatedness, and desired control over body and mind. We follow

Scandinavia LGBTQI* Sex / Sexuality Reproduction (biology) Family / Kinship

[marriage-maoism-and-modernity--Film-image]

Marriage, Maoism and Modernity 2009 30‘

Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .

This film outlines the types of marriage exchange practiced in a Chinese village over the last fifty years. Dowry, brideprice and exchange marriages have dominated the marriage market in turn as

Central Asia and Far East Marriage History Social Change

[raju-and-his-friends--Film-image]

Raju and His Friends 1988 40‘

Directed by Marcus Banks .

This film is set in the city of Jamnagar, western India. The film focuses on the emotions, quality of life, and on duty. Raju’s friendship with different people, including the director, provide a

South Asia Urban Informant-researcher relationship Life Story / Life History

[the-daring-young-girl-on-the-flying-trapeze--Film-image]

The Daring Young Girl on the Flying Trapeze 2020 27‘

Directed by Nina Ross .

As a child, Nancy Willis dreamt of joining the circus, longing for freedom and adventure. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told she would not live beyond her twenties, the now 65-year-old artist

British-Irish Isles Art/ Artists/ Artisans Personal Narrative Health/ Health care/ Healing Life Story/ Life History

[uzu--Film-image]

Uzu 2015 27‘

Directed by Gaspard Kuentz .

Held every October in the city of Matsuyama, the Dogo Autumn Festival is one of the most violent religious festivals celebrated in Japan. Eight teams of men carrying massive portable wood shrines

Central Asia and Far East Ritual Gender Role and Identity

[new-images--Film-image]

New Images 1964 27‘

Directed by Ulli Beier Frank Speed .

The film is a brief description of life in a busy commercial centre that still depends upon and retains its ancient traditions. These are based on the history of the town which was founded on the

West Africa Art / Artists / Artisans Religion / Belief / Faith Archival material / Museum displays

[muktuk--Film-image]

Muktuk 1983 40‘

Directed by Graham Johnston .

Shot on the mosquito-ridden shores of the Mackenzie Delta in Canada’s North-West territories, the film deals with the annual Beluga (white whale) hunt. Three families are followed who have

North America Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Education / Knowledge transmission

[wild-honey-caring-for-bees-in-a-divided-land--Film-image]

Wild Honey: Caring for bees in a divided land 2019 30‘

Directed by Lisa Palmer .

For more than a century, the island of Timor has been divided by a colonial border. Timor’s migratory wild honey bees challenge this division. In community honey harvest rituals, queen bees are

South-East Asia Animals Food / Water Hunting / Gathering / Fishing

[the-ainu-bear-ceremony--Film-image]

The Ainu Bear Ceremony 1931 27‘

Directed by Neil G. Munro .

The RAI has reedited the original film of this ceremony among the Ainu people of Japan. In the bear ceremony, now no longer performed, a specially reared bear was reverently killed and its flesh and

Central Asia and Far East Ritual Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples

[youth-group--Film-image]

Youth Group 2015 28‘

Student Directed by Wanwan Lu .

Set in the predominantly Asian “ethnoburbs” of Los Angeles County, this film follows a vibrant Buddhist youth group in a Chinese-American temple. Youth group members, most raised by immigrant

North America Collective / Community identity Religion / Belief / Faith Intergenerational relations

[were-ni-he-is-a-madman--Film-image]

Were Ni! He is a Madman 1963 30‘

Directed by Frank Speed Raymond Prince .

This ethnopsychiatric film shows the management of psychiatric disorders by the Yoruba of Nigeria. There are two basic types of institutions to deal with psychiatric disorders. First there are

West Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Possession

[the-ospreys-and-the-old-man--Film-image]

The Ospreys and the Old Man 2020 9‘

Directed by Ang Gao .

A 76-year-old man living in a village in the middle of China continues the traditional practice of using ospreys (鱼鹰. 鱼鹰 usually referred to as great cormorant in English) to fish while most

Central Asia and Far East Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Animals Elderly People

[song-family-village-takes-a-bride--Film-image]

Song Family Village Takes a Bride 2009 27‘

Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .

Most weddings in the village still reflect traditional patterns of patrilineal descent and patrilocal residence. The bride leaves her natal home to marry into her husband’s village, where she is a

Central Asia and Far East Marriage Family / Kinship Gender Role and Identity Social Change

[guli-armugon--Film-image]

Guli Armug’on 2019 23‘

Directed by Iqbol Meliqo’ziev .

Uzbek and Tajik women in eastern Uzbekistan celebrate the arrival of spring by gathering at the grave of an Islamic saint. The Afghan redbud trees growing on the site are in full bloom. The magical

Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Ritual

[between-memories--Film-image]

Between Memories 2015 34‘

Directed by Martha-Cecilia Dietrich .

Eudosia is still searching for her husband’s remains in the highlands of Ayacucho; Lucero has been in prison for 25 years now for the crime of terrorism against the Peruvian state; since 2009 the

South America Memory War / Conflict / Reconciliation

[tayuban-dancing-the-spirit-in-java--Film-image]

Tayuban: Dancing the Spirit in Java 1996 30‘

Directed by Felicia Hughes-Freeland .

Once a year a ritual is held in a Javanese village. After a distribution of food, men dance with professional female dancers. Their allegedly sexual ethos makes these ‘tayuban’ unacceptable as

South-East Asia Ritual Dance / Theatre / Performance Sex / Sexuality Gender Role and Identity

[chantals-choice--Film-image]

Chantal’s Choice 1990 30‘

Directed by Priscilla Hinckley Carlyn Saltman .

Adolescents in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, create a play for their peers in Europe and the USA. They enact an African folktale about a girl who faces a painful dilemma because she is determined to stay in school.

West Africa Dance / Theatre / Performance Children / Young people Reproduction (biology)

[los-guardianes-del-mayab--Film-image]

Los Guardianes del Mayab 2012 34‘

Directed by Jaime Magaña .

Luis Puc is a Yucatecan Mayan jmen (shaman). He dies and travels to the dimension of the seven heavens where he meets the báalam (guardians). Through them, he receives healing powers and wisdom,

Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Shamans and Shamanism

[gula-music-for-a-sacred-time--Film-image]

Gula – Music for a sacred time 2020 15‘

Directed by Remigiusz Sowa .

Introduces the rich and varied Hindu-Buddhist religious and ritual musical heritage of the ancient royal city of Bhaktapur (Nepal).

South Asia Music / Ethnomusicology

[the-people-next-to-coal-power-plant--Film-image]

The People Next to Coal Power Plant 2019 22‘

Directed by Hyewon Choi .

Vegetable crops are contaminated, fish have disappeared, illness is rife. Life in the shadow of a Korean coal power plant is difficult, but the locals have no choice but to struggle on nonetheless.

Central Asia and Far East Infrastructure/transport Environment Disasters

[reclaiming-the-forest--Film-image]

Reclaiming the Forest 1987 39‘

Directed by Paul Henley Georges Drion .

National governments, itinerant gold-miners, and indigenous inhabitants compete for control of an area of the South American rainforest. The film shows the potential conflict between the interests

South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Change Social Conflict

[without-fathers-or-husbands--Film-image]

Without Fathers or Husbands 1995 26‘

Directed by Hua Cai .

The Na are an ethnic group in south-east China. Their particularity is that all the members of each household are consanguineous relatives; their social organisation is absolutely matrilineal and as

South-East Asia Family / Kinship Collective / Community identity Gender Role and Identity Sex / Sexuality

[lives-and-deaths-between-ebbs-and-flows--Film-image]

Lives and Deaths between Ebbs and Flows 2019 14‘

Directed by Futuru C.L. Tsai .

Futuru Tsai explores the relationship between Amis people and the sea in this playful portrait of maritime culture in coastal Taiwan. The film focuses on various social and practical activities in

Central Asia and Far East Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nation peoples

[intranquillites--Film-image]

IntranQu’îllités 2019 20‘

Directed by Edward Owles .

Lyrically narrated by award-winning Haitian poet James Noël, the short film interweaves the work of several Haitian artists who want to redefine how their nation is perceived. The film explores the

Caribbean Islands Art/ Artists/ Artisans Nationalism Social Organisation

[house-no-15--Film-image]

House No. 15 2018 7‘

Directed by Aryo Danusiri .

Jakarta, Indonesia. Monsoon season. Children are at play in their flooded house, located in the riverside area of Ciliwung, known for its informal housing settlements. What unfolds before the camera

South-East Asia Everyday Life Children/ Young people Sensory Ethnography

[bang-the-drum--Film-image]

Bang the Drum 2020 28‘

Directed by William Nitzky .

For the Yao minority in rural southwest China, the bronze drum is a sacred heritage. Its sound aids the souls of deceased elders in reaching the ancestral land. When the Chinese government steps in

Central Asia and Far East Music/ Ethnomusicology Tourism/ Travel/ Pilgrimage Rural Shamans and Shamanism

[this-is-a-majlis-a-sound-essay--Film-image]

This Is A Majlis – A Sound Essay 2020 17‘

Directed by Timothy Cooper Abeera Arif-Bashir .

This short film is a multi-platform sound essay. It is primarily illustrated with still images, that conjure an atmosphere of intimacy and intensity of the majlis-e-aza, a mourning gathering central

South Asia Music/Ethnomusicology Urban Art/ Aritists/ Artisans Social Change

[even-asteroids-are-not-alone--Film-image]

Even Asteroids Are Not Alone 2018 17‘

Directed by Jón Bjarki Magnússon .

Eve Online is a computer game in which players mine, trade and fight their way through computer-generated galaxies. Whilst computer game aficionados are often depicted as isolated, this game is

[ian-gleadell-a-falkland-farmer--Film-image]

Ian Gleadell: A Falkland Farmer 1987 34‘

Directed by Bob Edwards Alastair Kenneil .

The 1982 war between Britain and Argentina brought the Falkland or Malwinas Islands into the news headlines. This film is less spectacular: It shows the way of life of one inhabitant of this

South America Animals Agriculture / Farming

[spirit--Film-image]

Spirit 2019 19‘

Directed by Jane Dyson Ross Harrison .

Saraswati is a new arrival in an Indian Himalayan village. She wonders how she will ever feel at home in the new setting. “Spirit” by Jane Dyson and Ross Harrison is a story of longing and

Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and identity Agriculture/ Farming Everyday Life Family/ Kinship

[the-heavenly-court-in-song-family-village--Film-image]

The Heavenly Court in Song Family Village 2009 30‘

Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .

Religious life in the village is highly gendered, with female shamans dominating most religious activities. These shamanesses and their gods are organised as a “court”, which expresses a

Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Shamans and Shamanism Ritual

[land-lot-s7--Film-image]

Land Lot S7 2020 28‘

Directed by Abtin Sarabi .

Following sugar cane field workers in Senegal as they chop and burn their way through seemingly endless fields, this poetic film takes an unconventional approach to understanding the gruelling work

West Africa Labour Agriculture / Farming

[we-dont-need-a-grave--Film-image]

We Don’t Need A Grave 2014 27‘

‘We Don’t Need a Grave’ attempts to show how the people who choose Shizenso rather than the typical family grave try to accept one’s death. Shizenso is a natural mortuary practice that has no

Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Death Ritual

[kutaay--Film-image]

Kutääy 2014 20‘

Directed by Isis Contreras .

Fili, a 22-year-old Mixe, makes ornamental paper hot air balloons. Since this is an important tradition in his community, Fili —an expert in the art— is recognized and accepted. Yet, he is

Central America Material Culture Social Change Intergenerational relations

[letters-from-palestine--Film-image]

Letters from Palestine 2011 35‘

Directed by Ludovica Fales .

What if in your great-grandfather’s letters there is a mystery your family doesn’t want to talk about? In 1920 Angelo Levi Bianchini set out to Palestine on an Italian diplomatic mission and never

Western Mediterranean Middle and Near East War / Conflict / Reconciliation Memory History

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Enet Yapai – an Ambonwari Girl 2008 25‘

Directed by Daniela Vávrová .

Enet Yapai was six years old when Vavrova met her for the first time in 2005 in Ambonwari village, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Between November 2007 and April 2008 she followed Enet and

Melanesia Children / Young people Rural Everyday Life

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A Sheepherder’s Homecoming 1996 40‘

Directed by Allen Moore Louis Werner .

This film documents a migrant worker’s experiences as a herder on a Nevada sheep ranch who then returns to his family in Mexico after a long absence to renew ties and find a job at home. It

North America Central America Migration Labour