BUNONG GUU OH/BUNONG´S BIRTH PRACTICES
Switzerland/Cambodia, 2010, 50 min
Tommi Mendel, Brigitte Nikles
28.01.2011 19:10
On the basis of a social anthropological case study, this film documents the birth practices of the Bunong in Mondulkiri province, located in the northeast of Cambodia. Social, economic and political changes are transforming the province tremendously and are affecting villagers´ beliefs, perceptions and habits regarding pregnancy, delivery and early motherhood. Traditional midwives, pregnant women, mothers and their families give a personal insight into their present decision-making strategies, which are at the crossroads between tradition and modernity.
Directors: Tommi Mendel, Brigitte Nikles
Tommi and Brigitte both studied Anthropology at the University of Zurich. Currently Brigitte is working in Mondulkiri in Cambodia to establish a Bunong Cultural Centre and Tommi is working on his PhD with the means of Ethnographic Film.
Production: Tigertoda productions, Zurich, Switzerland
Camera, Edit: Tommi Mendel
The movie was projected on various world film festivals (selection):
NAFA International Ethnographic Film Festival, Aarhus, Denmark 2010
International Festival of Visual Anthropology Mediating Camera, Moscow, Russia 2010
Cambodia International Film Festival, Phom Phen, Cambodia 2010
International Festival of Ethnological Film, Belgrade, Serbia 2010
Contro-Sguardi International Anthropological Film Festival, Perugia, Italy 2010
Athens Ethnographic Film Festival, Greece 2010
Language of dialogues: Bunong, Khmer
Language of subtitles:Czech, English
Anthony and Robert – youngsters from Nairobi – give insight into their everyday life. With a film camera they document and comment the life on the streets and in the Halfway Centre. Thereby, not only their trials and tribulations are expressed but also their sense of humor and their plans for the future, which are full of hope: Moving images which convince through their authenticity. By handing over the camera to the two protagonist, a dynamic change of perspectives is established. This renders possible a differentiated examination of the subject matter as well as the proceedings of the film.
In the far, far North, where the day begins and the oceans meet, a small hamlet New Chaplino is situated. The goverment decided to turn the village into a tourist resort. It is winter, 30 degrees Celsius below zero. The tourists are not coming. There are only few memories of them and the snow has already covered their footprints. The village people live in the cardoard houses. They are waiting for the tourists and dancing. It is only Vika, their country fellow, who is coming to visit her native village after she has spent few years in the city. Thus all villagers keep waiting for the tourists and dancing...
