Turumba

“Set in a tiny Phillipine village, ‘Turumba’ focues on one family who traditionally made papier-mache animals to sell during the Turumba religious festivities. One year, a German department store buyer shows up and purchases all their stock. When she returns with an order for 500 more (this time with the word ‘Oktoberfest’ painted on them), the family’s seasonal occupation becomes year-round alienated labor. Increased production, however, creates inflated needs. Soon, virtually the entire village has gone to work on a jungle assembly line, turning out papier-maches mascots for the Munich Olympics. “Long before the town band learns to play ‘Deutschland Uber Alles,’ the fabric of traditional life has been torn asunder. The ironies of capitalism on the margin – Coca Cola ads amid the shanties and the ancient rituals – make easy targets for Tahimik’s wit. But his sharp eye never makes him seem bitter. Here, as in ‘Perfumed Nightmare,’ Tahimik demonstrates great affection for his subjects, without stooping to romanticism.” – J. Hoberman, The Village Voice