Sébastien Galliot

Païwan People share a rich tattooing tradition which was closely related to cultural identity and social status before the vanishement during WWII. This contributes to give Cudjuy Patjidres the motivation of the tattoing revival. Cudjuy is actualy the only traditionnal tattooist in Taïwan. He learn his art to Bai Ai Païwan tatoo artist. Suliljaw Lusaujatj, student of the Departement of Anthropology of the College of Asia and the Pacific help him as stretcher. Suliljaw reccord also the tattooing.

This film focuses on the links between Maori tattoo artists from New Zealand (James Webster, Juliee Paama Penguely, Moko de la Terre) and those from French Polynesia (Roonui Anania, Chimé, Laurent Purotu). With interventions by specialists Sébastien Galliot and Michael Koch.

Tatak ng apat na alon tribe, is better known in English as Mark of the four wawes tribe. Made up of just over 150 members, this collective based in Los Angeles popularizes traditional Filipino tattooing around the world. At its head for more than twenty years, we find the famous artist Elle Festin and his wife, Zelle Festin.

Kava is the drug of the Pacific. A soothing drink that puts everyone on the same level and encourages discussion. Michael Koch, a German linguist who lived in Fiji for a long time, explains to us why he is seeking to reintroduce this social act in Polynesia, while Sébastien Galliot, a researcher at the CNRS, sheds scientific light on this ritualized exchange.

Roonui Anania, Chimé and Purotu started tattooing themselves and tattooing in the street, by snatch, that means with sewing needles attached to match sticks, then electric razors. Indian ink in a beer cap and off we went. Then Tavana Salmon brought back the first pig tooth combs, which they were not able to use for long due to hygiene. Impossible to sterilize. We had to go back to the electric razor, look for solutions. This film tells the story of the rebirth of Polynesian tattooing, then its expansion, told by the three greatest masters of Polynesian tattooing.