Film Lens
Returning Souls focuses on the ancestral house of the Amis tribe in Taiwan, known for its carved pillars that tell significant legends such as the great flood and the father-killing headhunting event. After a typhoon damaged the house 40 years ago, the pillars were relocated to the Institute of Ethnology Museum. The film documents the efforts of young villagers and female shamans as they work to reconnect with their ancestors through these pillars.
The narrative unfolds as the villagers, with the guidance of shamans, strive to communicate with their ancestors. Instead of merely restoring the physical pillars, they seek to bring back the ancestral souls. This spiritual journey culminates in the reconstruction of the ancestral house, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and heritage within the Amis tribe.
Why Watch
- •See the legends of the Amis tribe come to life.
- •Meet the young villagers restoring their ancestral house.
- •Find out how female shamans guide cultural revival.
Did You Know
•The ancestral house of the Amis tribe was toppled by a typhoon 40 years ago.
•The pillars were moved to the Institute of Ethnology Museum after the typhoon.
•Young villagers collaborated with female shamans to communicate with ancestors.
•The film was released in 2012 and has a duration of 85 minutes.
Perfect For
Taiwanese indigenous cultureCultural heritage restorationShamanic practices