Indonesia

15′28″, 2024

DIRECTED BY

Kalfein Maikel Wuisan

PRODUCED BY

Kalfein Maikel Wuisan

SCRIPTWRITER

Kalfein Maikel Wuisan

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Kalfein Maikel Wuisan

EDITED BY

Kalfein Maikel Wuisan

At 73, Rolly Wuisan, an Indigenous Minahasan from Sulawesi, has spent over 50 years as a traditional palm wine maker and steward of his land. The film follows Rolly’s daily routines as he walks a considerable distance from his home to climb palm trees up to 10 meters high and search for firewood to distill Captikus (Traditional Palm Wine from Minahasa). Rooted in ancestral knowledge, he believes that nature and humans are close relatives who must protect each other. By planting trees and safeguarding forests and rivers, he ensures the survival of future generations. Rolly: A Story of My Father is a meditative portrait of traditional craftsmanship, resilience, and the vital role of Indigenous wisdom in the fight against climate change.

Kalfein Wuisan is an Indigenous Youth filmmaker of Minahasa from North Sulawesi, Indonesia. He is a filmmaker, writer, and storyteller. Since 2009, he has used photography and film to strengthen his Indigenous identity and culture. As the founder of the Smartphone Movement—an Indigenous youth-led initiative—he has helped educate communities on using smartphones for photography, video, and graphic design to protect Indigenous peoples and their lands. His work has been showcased locally and internationally, and he has served as a facilitator, trainer, and speaker at global events, including The COP 28 for Climate Change in Dubai 2023, New York Climate Week 2003 & 2024, COP for Biodiversity, and international film festivals.