documentary film
Death unites all humans, forcing us to confront it alone or as a community. Our relationship with death and grief is complex and taboo. How do we mourn? Should we embrace emotions or accept fate without drama? Should mourning be private or communal? Does mourning honor the departed and open a gateway to the afterlife?
In the upcoming documentary "The teargifters," Mathilde Brandi and Daniel Gomez Seidel explore ancient Egyptian professional mourners, the Nadabat, to reflect on tradition, spirituality, poetry, and cultural identity. This self-funded project captures disappearing rituals impacted by religious rule, modernity, and globalization.
under production
Working title: ‘The Teargifters’
By delving into the ancient and disappearing world of professional mourning, "The Teargifters" offers a unique glimpse into a poetic ritual that has withstood the test of time, only to face the challenges of religious rule, modernity, and globalization. Through never-before-recorded intimate interviews and powerful performances, this documentary provides viewers with unprecedented access to a centuries-old tradition on the brink of extinction.
Directed and filmed by Mathilde Brok Brandi. Sound and social research by Daniel Gomez Seidel.
Please reach out to brokbrandi@gmail if you have interest in the project. We would love to hear from you if you have any perspective, knowledge or experiences to share
