The following is a short synopsis of a documentary film I incidently made in the last trip to Toraja...
Above is Samantha, thru her eyes you will feel the mamali spirit




GIRLS ARE HOME – a synopis


This documentary film follows a special moment in a life of a Toraja teenage girl, Novi, a student at SMU Katholik Makale, Tana Toraja. The region is quite famous as one of the best tourist destinations in Indonesia. The people believe in their own special old traditions and values in living their life. They have pride in everything they do.

Now it is the time for the people of Toraja, who lived anywhere, to go back to the city of Makale, to gather there, to celebrate life, to celebrate their pride. A campaign, later called Toraja Mamali was then set to promote this spirit, after a gigantic statue was raised in the Lake of Makale – the landmark of Makale. “Toraja Mamali” means “Longing for Toraja”. The campaign successfully gained extensive pros and cons from Torajan anywhere they were. They were invited to watch street festivals, statue inauguration by the Vice President of RI – Mr. Jusuf Kalla, and a colossal attempt to break the world record of a traditional dance by the most dancers. Of course, MURI Version.

Tens of thousands Torajans came home in Mamali spirit. Amongst them, there was this 4 years old little girl, Samantha. She was born in Australia from an Aussie mother and Toraja father. It would be her first trip back to her ancestor’s land. Sure she’d see many things she did not normally see in her little modern world.

Novi was one of the 2000 local dancers who prepared themselves for 2 (two) months. She was also one of the lucky sixty something girls who will dance right in front of Mr. Kalla who was there along with other 125,000 spectators. She also felt and saw many new experiences in her young teenage life.

The thirty minutes feature tries to reveal the event, “Toraja Mamali” from the eyes of Samantha and Novi. Innocent eyes who have one thing in common, they were of Torajan descendent. Here and there, we could see amazing proofs of local great traditions from Samantha perspective. But then mixed with visuals showing how complicated it is to organize such a big event from the eyes of Novi.

Most back sound or music illustrative will be traditional or modern Torajan or other ethnical base tunes. Editing will be dynamic, with the use of simple graphic concept. When suitable, I would like to use dynamic cuts as transitions.


by:sakti parantean

01112006