'Treasure of the Rice Terraces' premieres at Vancouver Film Fest, explores Kalinga tattoos

A documentary film titled 'Treasure of the Rice Terraces,' directed by Filipino-Canadian Kent Donguines, will premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival in October.

The documentary explores the traditional tattoo culture of the Philippines through its focus on Indigenous tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od and her hometown of Buscalan, featuring interviews with personalities like Michelle Dee, Mark Bumgarner, Grace Palicas, and Kim Atienza.

Donguines returned to his roots in the Philippines to reconnect with Kalinga tattoos from Whang-Od, highlighting their deep history and cultural significance, while also addressing issues such as cultural appropriation and discrimination faced by tattooed individuals.

'Treasure of the Rice Terraces' will screen on October 5 and 6 at the festival alongside other notable films like Richard Linklater's 'Nouvelle Vague' and Ido Fluk's 'Köln 75.'

The film showcases how traditions can survive, evolve, and inspire both local communities and cultural identity worldwide.

Last year, Whang-Od was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit for keeping the tradition of indigenous tattooing alive and defying gender norms in a male-dominated realm.