Russian Students Captivated by Life of Fang Od in Documentary “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok”

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Catherine Alpay discusses the background of the documentary “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” (The Woman Behind the Tattoo Artist) to the students of Philippine, Malaysian, and Indonesian Philology at the Moscow State University. (Photo by M. Gromanko)

27 February 2018 MOSCOW — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow held a screening of the documentary “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” (The Woman Behind the Tattoo Artist) at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Moscow State University on February 19. The event was hosted by the Department of South-East Asian, Korean and Mongolian Philology with the support of Professor Elena Frolova, Senior Professor of Philippine Philology. More than 20 students attended the film screening, including students of Philippine Philology.

“It was really gratifying to see the students’ growing interest in Philippine culture because of this excellent documentary. The Embassy is planning to have more film screenings in support of MSU’s Philippine studies program,” said Third Secretary and Vice Consul Catherine Alpay who delivered a short introduction on the documentary.

Directed by Lauren Sevilla Faustino and produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” is a 2012 documentary featuring Fang Od– dubbed as the “Last [Traditional] Tattoo Artist of Kalinga.”

MSU students praised the film’s narrative technique that relied more on imagery than words. This developed their appreciation of the film’s subject, Fang Od, and the unique culture of the Butbut Tribe of Kalinga.

“I know a bit about Philippines culture and have some friends there, but it was my first time to hear about tattoos tradition. Though the film is a kind of documentary, it was not boring. I liked the way it was produced: not so much text, all information was given by picture. So we had a good chance to see one day of indigenous tribe’s life. Mahusay ang film na ito!” said Alexandra, an MSU student.

“The film was very informative, especially for all people who study this region. The story of the amazing woman who is carrying on the traditions of her tribe is unusual. I think that there should be much more films like this one,” said Gadzhiev Tamerlan, another student who was fascinated by the documentary.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow arranged the film screening in collaboration with the FDCP and the Cultural Diplomacy Unit of the Office of the International Economic Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs. END

MSU Senior Professor on Philippine Philology, Professor Elena Frolova, provides some commentary on the film. (Photo by C. Alpay)

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph/ https://www.facebook.com/moscowpe/ or https://www.facebook.com/moscowpeconsular/.