Documentary backdrop image for Blood And Ink (2014)

Documentary backdrop image for Blood And Ink (2014)

201462 minPGdocumentary

Blood And Ink

201462 minPGdocumentary

Tattoos have a history that spans continents, traveling from the South Pacific islands to Europe on the arms of sailors.

Genres

Director

Amanda D. Fornal

Synopsis

Tattoos have a history that spans continents, traveling from the South Pacific islands to Europe on the arms of sailors.

People

Amanda D. Fornaldirector

Synopsis

Sailors from the South Pacific carried stories of tattoos as they traveled to Europe and beyond. "Blood And Ink" traces the history of this ancient form of body modification, revealing its significance across cultures. The film examines how tattoos have evolved over time and their role in various societies. With a runtime of 62 minutes, it provides a comprehensive look at the art and tradition of tattooing, connecting past practices to contemporary expressions.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2009)

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

2009•1h33m•★6.6TMDB

Over 15,000 gang-related deaths have occurred in Los Angeles County in the past 20 years, marking a long history of violence between the Crips and Bloods.

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

Tattoo Culture, from Gangsters to Global Phenomenon (2023)

Tattoo Culture, from Gangsters to Global Phenomenon

In France, there are 4,000 professional tattoo artists who claim full artist status, reflecting the booming popularity of tattoo culture.

Tattoo Culture, from Gangsters to Global Phenomenon

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary) (2020)

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary)

A 17-year-old inmate reflects on his first tattoo, a mark of identity and rebellion, as he navigates life in a prison environment.

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary)

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko (2026)

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko

Moko, the sacred Māori tattooing tradition, symbolizes cultural survival and identity, experiencing a revival that challenges appropriation and celebrates ancestral heritage.

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary (2024)

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary

More than 2 million prisoners in America are behind bars, with at least 50% of them tattooed, revealing a hidden subculture of art and identity.

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary

D'Inked (2025)

D'Inked

Modern laser technology offers a new perspective on tattoo removal, as showcased through one man's five-year experience at Body Electric Tattoo in Hollywood.

In Your Face: Confronting Tattoo Prejudice (2018)

In Your Face: Confronting Tattoo Prejudice

Face and neck tattoos significantly influence public perception, as shown by a social experiment where three tattooed individuals experience contrasting treatment with and without their ink.

In Your Face: Confronting Tattoo Prejudice

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon (2026)

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon

Ancient cities reveal gladiator arenas, hidden tunnels, and barbarian strongholds that shaped some of history's fiercest battles in this marathon from Cities of the Underworld.

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life (2026)

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life

In Madagascar, sacred crocodiles, white yaks in Nepal, and warrior horses in Indonesia exemplify the enduring connections between humans and nature across diverse cultures.

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean (2026)

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean

Ancient Pacific voyagers, guided by ancestral knowledge, navigated the treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean, settling islands from Guam to Vanuatu.

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime (2023)

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime

Rembrandt's artworks, created throughout his adult life, have been dispersed worldwide, each with its own unique history and significance.

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime

Angkor Wat Night Festival: Full Apsara performance of the Royal Ballet (2023)

Angkor Wat Night Festival: Full Apsara performance of the Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet's history begins in Angkor with the Apsara dancers and King Khumba's love story.

Angkor Wat Night Festival: Full Apsara performance of the Royal Ballet

Explore Blood And Ink

Topics FAQ Stream

Where else to watch

Tattoo Nation (2013)

Tattoo Nation

2013•1h26m•★6.1TMDB

Three influential tattoo artists in Los Angeles during the 1980s changed the perception of tattoos from a marginalized practice to a recognized form of self-expression.

NY Ink (2011)

NY Ink

2011•1h34m•★9.7TMDB

1.3 million viewers tuned in each episode during the first season of a series that follows tattoo artists at Wooster St. Social Club in New York City.

Bloody Tales of Europe (2013)

Bloody Tales of Europe

2013•45m•★6.0TMDB

From ancient Rome's cruel emperor Caligula to the violent Vikings, Europe's history is marked by bloodshed and intrigue across various regions.

Bloody Tales of Europe

We Are Blood (2015)

We Are Blood

2015•1h31m•★6.6TMDB

Four elite skaters travel to São Paulo, Beijing, Dubai, and various U.S. locations to demonstrate their skills and connect with the global skateboarding community.

Flesh & Blood (2007)

Flesh & Blood

2007•1h5m•★6.7TMDB

Graphic footage reveals surgical implants and dramatic hook suspensions as Steve Haworth performs extreme body modifications on willing participants.

Ana Mendieta: Fuego de Tierra (1987)

Ana Mendieta: Fuego de Tierra

1987•52m•★10.0TMDB

Ana Mendieta, a Cuban-born American artist, is explored through her performances, earthworks, and feminist political consciousness in this documentary directed by Nereyda Garcia-Ferraz.

Ana Mendieta: Fuego de Tierra

Browse more like this

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary) (2020)

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary)

A 17-year-old inmate reflects on his first tattoo, a mark of identity and rebellion, as he navigates life in a prison environment.

Inside Prison Tattooing (Body Art Documentary)

No digital watch option in your country

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko (2026)

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko

Moko, the sacred Māori tattooing tradition, symbolizes cultural survival and identity, experiencing a revival that challenges appropriation and celebrates ancestral heritage.

Māori Tattoos Beyond Ink: The Roots and Deep Meaning of Moko

No digital watch option in your country

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary (2024)

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary

More than 2 million prisoners in America are behind bars, with at least 50% of them tattooed, revealing a hidden subculture of art and identity.

Secrets of Prison Ink - Hidden In America - Documentary

No digital watch option in your country

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon (2026)

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon

Ancient cities reveal gladiator arenas, hidden tunnels, and barbarian strongholds that shaped some of history's fiercest battles in this marathon from Cities of the Underworld.

Blood Sport and Hidden Lairs Lie Beneath *Marathon

No digital watch option in your country

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life (2026)

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life

In Madagascar, sacred crocodiles, white yaks in Nepal, and warrior horses in Indonesia exemplify the enduring connections between humans and nature across diverse cultures.

Lands of Legends: Where Traditions Still Shape Everyday Life

No digital watch option in your country

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean (2026)

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean

Ancient Pacific voyagers, guided by ancestral knowledge, navigated the treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean, settling islands from Guam to Vanuatu.

How Ancient Voyagers Crossed the Ocean

No digital watch option in your country

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime (2023)

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime

Rembrandt's artworks, created throughout his adult life, have been dispersed worldwide, each with its own unique history and significance.

The Many Faces Of Rembrandt - Raiders of the Lost Art S02E03 - True Crime

No digital watch option in your country

The Way of the Ink (2011)

The Way of the Ink

2011•1h10m•★7.0TMDB

Pascal makes multiple trips to Tokyo to complete his irezumi tattoo, guided by master artist Horitoshi Sensei.

The Way of the Ink

Blue Skin (2004)

Blue Skin

2004•1h30m•★7.5TMDB

Three men in their 90s share their life stories through tattoos, challenging societal views on body art and self-expression.

The three musketeers tattoo (2019)

The three musketeers tattoo

2019•26m•★9.5TMDB

Three tattoo artists use makeshift tools, including sewing needles and electric razors, to revive Polynesian tattooing on the streets.

The three musketeers tattoo

Tatau (2019)

Tatau

2019•36m•★10.0TMDB

Six tattoo artists from New Zealand and French Polynesia discuss the cultural significance of their craft in a 36-minute film.

The Tattooist (2017)

The Tattooist

2017•46m•★6.0TMDB

Forty-six minutes of interviews with master tattoo artists and enthusiasts reveal the deep meanings and artistry behind body ink in the United States.

SWK4 (1993)

SWK4

1993•33m•★9.5TMDB

José de Almada Negreiros, a Futurist artist, articulates his philosophy on identity and self-perception through his work in this exploration of his artistic vision.

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →