Sulawesi. Life After Life

Sulawesi (Celebes) is an Indonesian island on the Pacific Ocean. Toraja people live in the central part of the land. They consider funeral to be the most important event of one’s life, therefore it must be celebrated with a lot of festivities. It is often the case that the family of the deceased has to work hard for multiple consecutive years in order to pay for a proper funeral, while the body of the dead relative awaits at his or her old home, gradually mummified. In this documentary Martyna Wojciechowska visits a family which is preparing a funeral. We see them prepare favorite dishes of the deceased, and place it by her bed several times a day. Dead woman also receives guests, who are told to treat her with respect, and not to disturb her peace.