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BONECA DE ATAURO: SEARCHING FOR THE LOST LOVE

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This lovely short film is about a doll who goes on an exciting and adventurous journey to find her boyfriend. She travels all over this island before she finds him, meeting many different walks of life along the way. This film is very cute and, somewhat educational because we learn how the dolls are made, which is interesting and exciting. A child would enjoy this because its fun and lighthearted and the story about a doll's adventure is silly at times but we get to meet a lot of fun, colorful characters along the way. I love the dolls. They're sort of like a rag doll and, when they come to life, they're absolutely charming. The voice over for them is also quite charming. And then, the characters they meet are also rag doll type characters of different sorts. The film flows nicely and is quite watchable. I believe it would make a lovely addition to a children's or family film festival, especially if there was a focus on international culture. The film's dialogue is in Tetun, the local language, with English subtitles. They move slowly enough that it is easy to follow along. The sound quality is wonderful. It is crisp and easy to understand. At times, it is so realistic, while at other times - quite hilarious. All the sound effects really add to the film and make it amazing. The cinematography is impeccable as well. The picture is very clear and only unsteady when it is required. I recommend it for ages 8 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars because it's really funny and cute and I think just about anyone would love it! Reviewed by Kelsey M. and Julie S.

'Boneca de Ataúro: Searching for the Lost Love' is the first stop-motion film coming out the young nation of Timor-Leste. On this non-stop laughter and action-packed film, the main character--a handmade rag doll called Ataurina--while looking for her abducted partner, takes us into an adventurous journey through some of the most beautiful locations in Ataúro island (a new eco-tourism paradise destination in South East Asia). During the trip, Ataurina travels by all means encountering unexpected dangers and meeting curious characters across the island in a mission to get her loved one back. The Boneca de Ataúro (Ataúro's Doll--in Portuguese) is a well-established women cooperative producing for the last 10 years the most well-known handicraft brand in the young nation of Timor-Leste. The cooperative produces intricately handmade embroidery dolls, handbags, toys, housewares and educational products. Based in Ataúro island--25km north off the coast of Dili--it is one of those projects truly born out of love, passion and hard work, providing income to over 60 families in the island. The film was made totally pro-bono by award-winning filmmaker David Palazón, co-written by Karen Reidy and Swiss artist Ester Piera Zuercher (the founder) and co-produced in collaboration with the women at the cooperative.