Tong Tana: the Lost Paradise 2001
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th St., New York, NY 10016; 212-808-4980
Produced by Jan Roed, Eric Pauser and Bjorn Cederberg for TV 4 International
Director n/a
VHS, color, 52 min.
Adult
Anthropology, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Christy Caldwell, Science Librarian, University of California, Santa CruzThe destruction of the Malaysian Borneo rainforest and its native cultures are described in this heartbreaking documentary Tong Tana: the Lost Paradise. The filmmakers follow the indigenous nomadic Penan tribe and their doomed friend, advisor and messenger Bruno Manser of Switzerland.
A previous film was released in 1990 on this subject titled Tong Tana: a Journey to the Heart of Borneo. Excerpts from this film are included in Tong Tana: the Lost Paradise to provide a historical background for Manser's relationship with the Penan. The added scenes explain that Manser lived with the Penan for a number of years learning their language and culture. Manser decides to help the Penan when the clear-cutting of the forest threatens the culture he has grown to value. He leaves Borneo, promoting the plight of the Penan people around the world and earns a bounty on his head from his Malaysian enemies.
Tong Tana: the Lost Paradise continues with Manser years later in Switzerland after he receives a message from the Penan chief pleading for his return. Manser returns only to be overwhelmed with how little his efforts have helped. The forests are now 90% gone and the rivers polluted. The film ends with a somber note that Bruno Manser disappeared while in the rainforest in May, 2000.
Tong Tana (which means "forest") is not subtle in its bias in favor of the Penan tribe and of saving the rainforests, however, the few statistics used are startling. The cinematography is both ethereal and chilling with scenes of the remaining rainforest and the scorched earth at its edges. The film would be useful for discussions about how native cultures are often reliant on their respective environments for survival, and how governments have historically treated these native cultures. For a film with similar issues see the review for In the Light of Reverence. Tong Tana: the Lost Paradise is narrated in English, but Swiss and Penan languages are subtitled and easy to read. Highly recommended for middle school through college. Especially relevant for anthropology collections.