Rest in Peace
Kun Tsai
China / Col / 28'23"/ In Putonghua and Minnan with English subtitles
Dummy, an honest paper-making craftsman, learns that he would soon die, and hopes to be buried according to traditional customs. However, due to the local implementation of funeral reforms, Dummy's wish comes to nothing. So, his good buddy Buggy who has a way of doing things help him to find a surrogate body for cremation. .
Artist's Statement
Due to my attention to social news and events and my identity as a documentary director, I am very interested in various social events and draw inspiration and ideas from them. The background story of this film was inspired by a case in 2017 in Shanwei, Guangdong, where the cremated body is found to be a surrogate. Due to the complex and diverse folk culture in this area, the understanding of life and death is more delicate and traditional. During the time of funeral reforms, villagers commited suicide for burial quotas. And such scenes happened from time to time.
Juror's Comment
The humorous Hokkien dialogue turns this story about the conflict between traditional funeral customs and new land use laws into an absurd drama. From time to time, the TV at the male protagonist's home blasts out Thoughts Rising by Hengchun yueqin player and singer Chen Da. Does it allude to crossing to the other side after death? (Chong Keat Aun)
