How film can reconnect you with your roots with Kent Donguines

Kent Donguines' journey creating Treasure of the Rice Terraces began in 2019. From idea to development, Donguines' slow and steady process was grounded with one intention: to be in community with his subjects.Treasure of the Rice Terraces follows Donguines' travels back to the Philippines to reconnect with his roots. Discovering the world of Indigenous Kalinga tattoos in Buscalan, he falls upon 108-year-old tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od, marking the beginning of this story. A community that is often exploited by tourists and vloggers day after day, all seeking to be marked by Whang-Od, this film offers a new lens on a precious cultural practice, demonstrating how traditions can survive, evolve, and inspire both local communities and identity worldwide.Donguines joins Director of Programming, Curtis Woloschuk, on the VIFF Podcast to discuss how making art can affirm your identity and empower you to bring these stories home.This podcast is brought to you by the Vancouver International Film Festival.Presented on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.