MO TE IWI: Carving for the People is an intimate journey into the life of master carver Rangi Hetet. Taken out of school at age 17 by tribal elders to serve his apprenticeship, Rangi is one of the last traditional Māori carvers alive today who learned their craft in an era that straddled the ways of the old tohunga whakairo/master carvers and the modern world. The film reveals the interconnectedness of Māori arts, family and community and celebrates Rangi’s life of carving for the people.
Nominee
Tomomi on the Farm
TOMOMI ON THE FARM is an experimental documentary that creates an impressionistic and artistic experience cataloging the journey of a Japanese woman, Tomomi, who finds herself on a Saskatchewan elk farm during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biriyaani- Flavours of Flesh
The movie chronicles the life of Khadeeja, a married Muslim woman confined within the four walls of the household, forced to conceal her desires in the name of religious and societal norms. When fate brings her to an abandoned life, she chooses a different way of financially and sexually liberating herself- to be a sex worker; soon to realize that her soul is still dissatisfied. Finding a new way of hope, she decides to give back to the forces that pushed her to live an orphaned life of misery.
Aroeira’s Rose
The film shows, in a simple and authentic way, the strength of women in a small community in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). Four women, symbol of resistance and tradition, tell their life stories through the account of their long working hours. Filmed with a cell phone, the documentary surprises and presents scenes of a unique beauty with original soundtrack created by Valéria Oliveira
Mademoiselle Pigeon
1917. Private Pepin vowed to write the beautiful Mademoiselle Pigeon a letter daily. He will soon have to use his imagination to keep his promise. “Mademoiselle Pigeon” is a tragicomic animated short film reminding us that what the heart wants is not always what it needs.
On Edge
Luka and his grandmother are reluctantly forced to spend an afternoon together. Coming from different generations and being strangers to each other, they get into numerous fights. However, despite the quarrels and differences, an amazing act of nature brings them together as a family.