Films

Film list

[the-day-i-will-never-forget--Film-image]
The Day I Will Never Forget 2002 92'
Directed by Kim Longinotto.
The documentary explores the local dimensions of the female circumcision debate in Kenyan societies. In a region of Kenya that is home to Muslims, Massai and Somali and crosscut by Christian
East Africa Gender Role and Identity Ritual Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy Political Activists
[fatmawatis-wedding-the-weddings-of-two-sisters-the-preparations--Film-image]
Fatmawati's Wedding: the Weddings of two Sisters, the Preparations 1998 50'
Directed by Fiona Kerlogue.
This film records the preparations for the wedding of two sisters in eastern Sumatra in December 1996. There is an emphasis on the importance of the role of women in the village. Ritual exchanges
South-East Asia Gender Role and Identity Marriage Ritual Material Culture
[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
[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
[imbalu-ritual-of-manhood-of-the-gisu-of-uganda--Film-image]
Imbalu: Ritual of Manhood of the Gisu of Uganda 1988 69'
Directed by Richard Hawkins.
An insightful documentary, constructed with visual restraint, about the male circumcision ritual among the Gisu of Uganda. The narrative follows one male participant through the ritual and contrasts
East Africa Ritual Gender Role and Identity
[masai-manhood--Film-image]
Masai Manhood 1975 52'
Directed by Chris Curling.
This film was made after 'Masai Women' and in the same area. Together the two films provide a vivid view of Masai men and women and their place in Masai society. The Masai are pastoral nomads in
East Africa Gender Role and Identity Social Change Ritual Social Organisation Nomads and Nomadism Herding
[masai-women--Film-image]
Masai Women 1974 52'
Directed by Chris Curling.
The Masai are cattle herders living in the East African rift valley: they grow no crops and are proud of being a non-agricultural people. Cattle are the all-important source of wealth and social
East Africa Gender Role and Identity Social Change Ritual Social Organisation Nomads and Nomadism Herding
[mursi-nitha--Film-image]
Mursi: Nitha 1991 52'
Directed by Leslie Woodhead.
The proper time for a man to go through the Age Set Ceremony, the nitha, is just as he reaches physical maturity. But many years may elapse from one nitha to the next, so it is inevitable that some
North and Northeast Africa Ritual Social Conflict Gender Role and Identity
[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
[the-trobriand-islanders-of-papua-new-guinea--Film-image]
The Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea 1990 52'
Directed by David Wason.
The Trobriand Islands lie off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. The island society has a complex balance of male authority and female wealth. Magic spells and sorcery pervade everyday life.
Melanesia Gender Role and Identity Festivals / Carnival Ritual
[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