As a movie buff who is used to Korean dramas that are full of emotions and complex storylines, I never thought that a documentary film that is less than 20 minutes long could leave such a deep impression. This film is not just a visual treat that spoils the eyes, but also presents a reflective story that opens up insight into the lives of indigenous people who are closely tied to local wisdom values.
When the play button was pressed, I was immediately presented with stunning visuals. The cinematography in this film is so sharp and immersive, capturing the beauty of the village in Maros Regency in an aesthetic yet intimate way. The shots that show the expanse of nature, community interactions, and details of daily life, made me feel as if I was there. One of the most memorable scenes is when a traditional ritual is performed.
The sacred procession was shown so realistically, presenting a full expression of the community's respect for ancestors and nature. This film not only invited me to be a viewer, but also made me really feel the atmosphere of village life full of philosophy.
In addition to its visual power, the narrative in this film also flows very well. The carefully arranged plot creates a natural continuity of the story. There is no impression of excessive dramatization, instead this film presents reality as it is. Within the limited duration, it manages to convey social issues and community concerns in a subtle yet moving way. There are moments that made me flinch, realizing that behind the simplicity of indigenous people's lives, there are various challenges that are worth contemplating together.
One of the biggest reflections I got from this film is how indigenous people are often considered to carry out ancient practices that are irrelevant to modern life. However, this film successfully reverses that perspective. The rituals they perform are not just meaningless traditions, but expressions of respect for nature and life. In the lives of village communities, there is no dichotomy between humans and the environment. Nature is not just a resource that can be exploited, but part of the sustainability of life that must be maintained. Their ecological awareness is much higher than most of us who live in cities with all the conveniences of technology.
I envy how they have a strong sense of ownership over their land and environment, something that is increasingly rare in the modern world.
However, even though the film is so rich in messages, I feel that there are some aspects that could still be developed further. One of them is to provide more space for the voices of the younger generation in the village. It would be very interesting if young men and women also shared their stories and hopes for the future of their cultural heritage.
In this way, we can see how this tradition is interpreted by the younger generation and how they adapt to the changing world. In addition, one aspect that could be improved is the inclusion of subtitles for every dialogue or audio in the film. This would help more viewers understand the content of the film better, especially for those who are not familiar with the language or dialect used.
This documentary, despite its short duration, is able to convey so many deep messages. It not only shows the beauty of the village, but also raises our awareness of values that may be eroding in modern life. This film deserves to be appreciated and discussed further.
Thank you to the filmmakers who have presented a portrait of the lives of indigenous people in the villages of Bonto Manurung and Bonto Somba. I hope more films like this are produced and enjoyed by the wider community, because there are still many lessons we can learn from those who live closer to nature and true human values.
