Name: Turnim Hed
Genre: Documentary, Music
Duration: 52 min
Cast: Tony Armatrading

A wedding in the Papuan highlands, between prestige from music and wealth from pigs.

British documentary directed and produced by James Bates (Gold Rush) for Channel Four TV, filmed by Nic Knowland (Queen Invisible Man) and Alan Wright (The Perfect Bride), edited by John Mister (Monty Python Holy Grail) and narrated by Tony Armatrading (Chalkface).

Kube is a young man of the Chimbu people in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. He wants to woo Anna, a girl of the neighbouring valley. But there all must be handled with song and music, and the value of a man is judged not on his "look or personality", but on "the quality of his singing". Kube has thus to rehearse with his boy band the throbbing tunes, and also to learn to play the huge flute, for he doesn't master it while he attended the mission's school.

To retain proper attention the boys have also to cope with the fashion by adopting the new Bamboo Band style coming from the coast. Shall Kube be a skillful singer like his grandfather Kun? And will Anna feel attracted by his music? If so they will together rub their faces, "turnim hed" in the national Tok Pisin language.

To conquer the heart of his beautiful is only the first step for Kube. For he has also to gather the bride's price to get married. His father Elio will help him to reach the suitable amount. And here it consists mainly in pigs, the measure of a man's "wealth and status", which should have then to be repaid over many years. Could his mother Maria also help him in his quest? But her own clan has often be hostile in the past. Shall Anna's father Tom accept the price Kube will manage to bring? Should the big familiar pig of Kube's grandmother Akina be also sacrificed to make the deal?

On their side the women prepare a battle of mocking songs to challenge the opposite clan, while men adorn their traditional dresses with "paint, shells and feathers" to get competitive for the suitable prestige. The tender courtship and the harsh negotiation will go on in order to conclude if possible the wedding of the two lovers.

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

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The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

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Documentary on music and courtship rituals of the Chimbu people at Kundiawa, in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

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Turnim Hed

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