¿Tao'a?

Directed by Leo Pakarati and produced by Paula Rossetti and Philipp Schorch with partial funding from this ERC Starting Grant, the docu-fiction ¿Tao'a? travels from ancient times to present day, exploring the changing meaning of Rapanui wooden sculptures – from their sacred origin through desacralization to today’s re-signification. For more information, visit Mahatua Producciones and learn more about the project Ta'oa?.

Watch the full film here!

Synopsis

¿Tao'a? (Objects?) is a short film that explores the re-signification of traditional Rapa Nui sculpture. It also pays tribute to one of the greatest exponents of this art, the recently deceased Benedicto Tuki Pate, who carved moai around the world, becoming a true ambassador of Rapa Nui culture. The film examines the origins of island sculpture, its first contact with the West, and the plundering of these carvings—once sacred—until their transformation into souvenirs. At the same time, young carvers speak about the economic survival and the spiritual dimension that surrounds these sculptures today.

¿Tao'a? (¿Objetos?) es un cortometraje que explora la resignificación de la escultura tradicional de Rapa Nui. También es un homenaje a uno de los máximos exponentes de este arte, fallecido recientemente: Benedicto Tuki Pate, quien talló moai alrededor del mundo, convirtiéndose en un verdadero embajador de la cultura Rapanui. En el filme planteamos el origen de la escultura isleña, el primer contacto con Occidente y el expolio de estos tallados, hasta entonces sagrados, hasta su transformación en souvenir. Por otra parte, jóvenes talladores nos cuentan sobre la supervivencia económica y el aspecto espiritual que hoy rodean a estas esculturas.

Film details

Title: ¿Tao'a?
Director: Leo Pakarati
Year: 2024
Country: Chile (Rapa Nui)
Runtime: 15 min
Language: Spanish
Subtitles: English
Genre: Doku-fiction

Credits

Executive producer: Philipp Schorch
General producer: Paula Rossetti
Camera: Leo Pakarati
Live sound: Paula Rossetti
Artwork: Gustavo Bórquez
Animation: Marcelo Silva
Film mounting: Claudio González C.
Post audio: Ignacio Cubillos, Sonic
Original music: Ito Pakarati
Poem: Heremeta Ventura

Special thanks to Paula Rossetti, Tarita Rapu, Candelaria Franulich Labra, Omohi Pate Martínez, Feti'i Tuki Chappuzeau, Moana Schlack Maira, Tomás Tuki Tepano, Haumoana Hey Araki, Andrés Pakarati Novoa, Mikaela Pakarati Rossetti, Benedicto Tuki Pate, Ana María Arredondo Bravo, Vai Iti Tuki Arredondo, Vicente Rodríguez Tuki, Natalia Ruz Mora, Andrés Tuki Ruz and Rada.

Screenings

• New Horizons: Indigenous Collecting, Filming, Exhibiting Cambridge, UK, 2025
• XXVII Mostra de Curtmetratges Ixtar Curts, Ibiza, Spain, 2026