Stori Tumbuna: Ancestors' Tales - Wellington Film Society

Paul Wolffram | New Zealand | 2011 | Exempt

Both a fascinating look at the lives and culture of a remote and isolated people and a surprising jungle adventure, Stori Tumbuna brings the customs and mythologies of the Lak people of the New Guinea islands to vivid life. In 2001 ethnomusicologist and filmmaker Paul Wolffram visited the remote southern region of the island of New Ireland to learn and record the music and dance traditions of the Lak. He spent over two years living and working there, adapting to village life, learning the language and rituals - and, as this film clearly testifies, becoming beguiled by the playful humour of the Lak men. However, the mysterious death of one of the village men led Wolffram to become entangled in village lore in ways he never intended. His Western curiosity got the better of him and he tried to find out more about the dreaded culprit, a monstrous wild man from the dense mountain jungles, known only as the ‘Song’. - Michael McDonnell, New Zealand International Film Festival 2011

This screening will be introduced by the Wellington based director: Paul Wolffram