Why do we travel? What are we really looking for in our travels? Onlookers (Kimi Takesue, 2023) takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the landscape and daily life in Laos, prompting us to reflect on our role as observers in the world of tourism. In this visual exploration, we see how tourists clamor to visit places like magnificent Buddhist temples, observe rituals, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature. However, like a tidal wave that comes and goes, the tourists often quickly leave, leaving the locals to continue with their daily lives.
The shots captured in the film are essentially unrelated. However, Onlookers (2023) is magically able to draw an interesting story line. It’s as if we’re immersed in the moment effortlessly and mindlessly. The pieces taken are seemingly arbitrary, but they make us feel like we’re experiencing everything that happens firsthand. We are invited to contemplate the traveler’s journey in an era when experiences often turn into mere pixels and the wish to return to that moment is something all too familiar.
Kimi Takesue also appears to be addressing the impact of mass tourism where modern travelers are often more interested in capturing moments through their phones rather than being fully immersed in the beauty of the scenic spots they visit. They also sometimes neglect the local culture as well as the sacred places they encounter. However, you may have a different view from the director, as Kimi Takesue depicts the scenes of tourists with the feeling of a neutral observer, leaving room for the audience to form their own views.
Onlookers (2023) also focuses on the daily lives of Lao people, capturing street markets, monks, and bustling city centers with the same observational approach. This raises the interesting question of who exactly the observer is. Is it the tourists, the filmmaker, or even us as the audience? The documentary’s deliberate monotony emphasizes how culture as a tourist attraction can rob it of its spiritual potential, leaving the audience with plenty to reflect on.
Onlookers (2023) is selected in Utopia/Dystopia Festival Film Dokumenter 2023. Let’s travel together! (Tirza Kanya) (Vanis)
Film Details
Onlookers
Kimi Takesue | 72 Minutes | 2023 | United States, Laos | Color | PG
Screening Schedule
12.04 | Auditorium IFI-LIP | 14.40 WIB
12.08 | Bioskop Sonobudoyo | 16.40 WIB
