Chimé

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.

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.

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.