POST-PRODUCTION RITES

BATARA KALA

While I previously mentioned how easy it was to dive into the Torajan culture despite a gap of nearly three months between the shoot and the post-production, I do have my personal rituals to sustain the emotional and spiritual bond to the Torajans and their fascinating beliefs.

At the risk of some of you laughing, finding me superstitious, and possibly shaking head about an atheist/agnostic resourcing to such practices, I am happy to share.

What you see in the photo is my workspace.(How I cherish this creative refuge of mine…) The lush green view, the carafe with gemstone water, my fairy Amálka watching me work from her aquarium, the statue of Buddha reminding me to be patient when the editing work doesn’t progress as smoothly as I wished…

But today, I would like to draw your attention to some other elements particular to the film I am currently working on. See the small statues of a Torajan man and woman? Meet TATO & LAY (Grandfather and Grandmother) who represent Toraja's ancestors.

In the evening, when I finish my editing work for the day, I put the traditional Torajan beaded bracelets around their necks. When ready to take up my edit the next day, I ask Tato and Lay for their blessings and guidance in making the spirit of Aluk Todolo (The Way of ancestors) speak through my film. Considering them ‘charged’ I take the bracelets from their necks, put them around my wrist and keep them on as long as I am working – feeling in a rather powerful way connected.

You may have also noticed the tarot card from a MEMENTO MORI (Remember you must die) oracle deck💀. I tend to pull one, either when I am hesitant about what part or element of my film to focus on next, or when wondering what it is my film needs at the current stage.

I may instinctively choose a card with a grave plate that reminds me of a shot I initially dismissed as uninteresting but that, with a date of death carved into a stone, would now help me indicate the passing of time I so far struggled to convey. I may pull a card with a knife or sword next to a skeleton and draw from it the courage to make a significant and pretty daring cut in my edit. One I have been thinking of for quite some time but found too radical to attempt. Alternatively, I may come across a card with an offering plate, suddenly reminded that I haven’t eaten all day. And that YES - a plate filled with food is just as important as spiritual nourishment if I don’t want to turn into a skeleton before completing my film.

Quite curious what you think about my rituals. Questioning my sanity? Do they make on some level sense to you? No self-censorship needed. I’m quite comfortable with making you laugh.