Shinto: The Way of The Kami - Drops of Sun
A short documentary film made for exhibitions in museums during VideoWodrs project (http://videowords.altervista.org/)
“Shinto: The Way of The Kami” film universe aims to bring Shinto, the Japanese philosophy of life, closer to the audience. This unique philosophy is based on gratitude, commitment and deep connection to the kami - the energy of nature.
Kami are manifestations of the interconnecting energy of the universe. Usually hidden from this world, they inhabit a complementary existence that mirrors our own. Sometimes we can feel them in the elements of landscape or forces of nature. When you reach a harmony with awe-inspiring aspects of nature, then you are conscious of the way of the kami.
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Hiroko TakayamaKey Cast"Shinto Priestess"
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Tom SajewskiDirectorShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Tom SajewskiWriterShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Tom SajewskiProducerShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Tom SajewskiDirector of PhotographyShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Paweł KlepaczEditorSumma; Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Agnieszka WołejkoMusic
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Agnieszka WołejkoSound Design
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Tom SajewskiColor GradingShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Tom SajewskiProduction ManagerShinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Runtime:4 minutes 23 seconds
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Completion Date:February 12, 2021
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Country of Origin:Poland
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Country of Filming:Japan
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Language:No Dialogue
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Shooting Format:Digital 4K
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Aspect Ratio:2,39:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Mount Fuji International Film FestivalSendai
Japan
August 26, 2021
Japanese premiere
Best Cinematography award -
hARTslane GalleryLondon
United Kingdom
May 5, 2021
World Premiere
Non-competitive screening -
Institut für Alles MöglicheBerlin
Germany
June 6, 2021
European Premiere
Non-competitive screening -
Mallu Film MarketThiruvananthapuram
India
July 1, 2021
Asian Premiere
Official Selection -
Nature Independent Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
August 19, 2021
United Kingdom Premiere
Official Selection -
Festival Film BahariCirebon
Indonesia
September 19, 2021
Indonesian Premiere
Non-competitive screening / The film opened the festival (It was the first film to screen on the first day) -
Filmarte Short Film FestivalPorto
Portugal
January 3, 2022
Portugalese Premiere
Official Selection
https://filmfreeway.com/TomSajewski
Currently, I develop “Shinto: The Way of The Kami” film universe, which will consist of several short and medium-length documentary films, and possibly feature-length documentary film in future. This collection of films will focus on describing Shinto – the Japanese philosophy of life. Each film – video art, short online film, film for festivals and film for television – is aimed at different audience.
My film, “Paralysis” (2017), has been officially selected for inclusion in film festivals about 60 times and has won 15 awards, including Best Film, Best Cinematography, and Special Mention. For “Shinto: Musashi-Itsukaichi Festival” (2019), I received Best Theme, Best Concept and Fan Award.
I am interested in technological advancements, but at the same time I am fascinated by nature and human stories. I try to tell them using modern film techniques.
Selected filmography:
• Shinto: The Way of The Kami (2021) – Documentary, medium-length
• In/Off (2019) – Documentary, short subject
• Paralysis (2017) – Fiction, Short subject
• Wooden Rifles (2017) – Documentary, short subject
From an early age, I was fascinated by Japanese culture and pop-culture. During my last two visits to Japan (in 2010 and 2017), I noticed that their native philosophy, Shinto, has influence over nearly every aspect of the country, from culture to everyday life. I decided to create several films about that philosophy. A philosophy which has such an amazing influence on life in a country that interests me.
I have always liked spending time in natural environments. However, only when I started filming this project, did I realize that there may be some deeper connection between us and nature. This connection became even more apparent to me – and I believe to all of us – during these days of the pandemic, when it was so suddenly broken and people were put on lockdown.