human connection, nature
Veronika Nona, the only person who lived on the northern slope of Mount Gai, took care of the gardens and protected the harvests from thieves, while facing various challenges. In her old age, she left the northern slope of Mount Gai. Her role was taken over by her brother, Nong Titus, who left his ailing wife, Maria, behind. Nong Titus divided his time between staying at the garden and returning home to care for his wife. One day, after visiting his wife at home, Nong Titus returned to the garden only to find that his goat was missing. He searched for it by shouting “sie,” a traditional Maumere way of calling goats. Through various documentary approaches—expository, observational, and experimental—the film Sie seeks to reflect on the life of agrarian communities and their relationship with the universe. We witness the story of Nong Titus’s family as a representation of families around the world, who take turns caring for their land while facing diverse conflicts over ownership and loss and togetherness.
Yosep Levi was born into a family of farmers and sees the land as a mother that gives life.