Tales of the Rainbow
- Ethnology
Synopsis
In the Atayal mythology, the souls of the deceased arrive in Heaven by way of the rainbow. Only the ones who have the traditional face tattoo would be welcomed by the Ancestral Spirits. Seeing the decline of this Atayal tradition, the filmmaker interviews tattooed tribal elders, capturing their longing for lost family, friends, and homelands, as well as their feelings about their impending return to the rainbow.
Director Statement
After more than 20 years, I revisit my past to document the land and culture of my people. What I care about is: Have I managed any change in myself and in the indigenous community at large? Is a documentary film only a recording of facts, or a driving force for social justice and improvement? I am an educator. Throughout these years, I have been learning from community elders to establish a knowledge base of indigenous culture, so that we can implement educational programmes within the system to teach our culture and local knowledge to our own children. By dedicating myself to the fundamental work of education, I hope to help our children in regaining confidence in their identity, and growing up to become indigenous adults with souls.
Festivals & Awards
2009 Taiwan International Ethnographic Film Festival
Team
Gallery
