Borneo – an island full of biodiversity and the green lung of the world, is also an island full of mysterious and unique cultures. However, in the name of development, we are seeing large scale deforestation that has accelerated the disappearance of once vibrant cultures from living memory. We feel a responsibility to document the unique way of life and cultures in Borneo before they are classified as extinct.
The Ring Ladies is the first part of 'The Lost Voices of Borneo' trilogy. It is inspired by the chain reaction created by a very ambitious energy development plan driven by the state government of Sarawak. This ambitious development plan has impacted more than one hundred thousand indigenous people who have been displaced from their homes and resulted in more than 2,245 square kilometers of deforestation. The Ring Ladies documents the relocation of one of the oldest indigenous communities who are being forced out of their homes by the development of the Bengoh reservoir dam.
Hopefully through Indiegogo, we will be able to raise the needed funds to finish the episode and then show it to the world. Eventually, if the response is encouraging enough and with your backing, we hope we will be able to finish the rest of the trilogy.
Who are the Ring Ladies?
These traditional Semban ladies wearing the ruyang and rusung are the embodiment of the remaining distinctive culture of the Semban, a sub-tribe of the Bidayuhs.
Ruyang and rusung are copper coiled rings worn on the neck and forearms/calves respectively.
There are only a handful of Ring Ladies left. In 2010, there were eight last year, it was six. Now, there are only four Ring Ladies left holding to this unique culture.
It is believed that in less than ten years time, the unique Semban indigenous culture together with the Ring Ladies will disappear entirely - all that will be left behind will be just memories.
Why are we doing this?
We are disappointed that no one is paying attention to this matter, not even local Sarawakians know this is happening in their backyard. It would be heartbreaking not to be able to share the unique culture of the Ring Ladies culture with the next generation and our friends outside of Borneo. We do not see this is a calling or think we are able to change anything, but rather a commitment to document what is beautiful around us. As local Sarawakians, this is the least we can do.
We need your help!
We started this project in September 2015 with some valuable footage. Now, we are at critical stage, because the entire Semban village will be flooded by the reservoir in April 2016, preventing us from filming the genuine way of life of the Semban community. We hope through Indiegogo, we will be able to raise the funds needed to finish telling this significant story. We need your support to help us finish this journey. Join us in this wonderful journey!
How are we going to use the fund
We have planned to use the fund in following ways:
- 40% of the fund for transportation of the film crew to enter the village to capture more footage;
-
15% of the fund for film equipment;
- 25% of the fund for post production;
- 20% of the fund for marketing.
About the Director and the team
Nova Goh (Director, Story Teller)
Clive Chai (Producer)
Jerry Su (Producer, Musician)
William Chiang (Executive Producer)
Kwan Tung Seng (Research and Storyboard Artist)
Engelbert Angku (Director of Photographer)
Asbury Bendy (Cinema Photographer)
Dicky Loh (Editor in Chief)
Aerith Lee , Alicia Pui Yee (Marketing Manager)
