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.

  • Hiroko Takayama
    Key Cast
    "Shinto Priestess"
  • Tom Sajewski
    Director
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Tom Sajewski
    Writer
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Tom Sajewski
    Producer
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Tom Sajewski
    Director of Photography
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Paweł Klepacz
    Editor
    Summa; Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Agnieszka Wołejko
    Music
  • Agnieszka Wołejko
    Sound Design
  • Tom Sajewski
    Color Grading
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Tom Sajewski
    Production Manager
    Shinto: The Way of The Kami; Paralysis
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 12, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Poland
  • Country of Filming:
    Japan
  • Language:
    No Dialogue
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2,39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mount Fuji International Film Festival
    Sendai
    Japan
    August 26, 2021
    Japanese premiere
    Best Cinematography award
  • hARTslane Gallery
    London
    United Kingdom
    May 5, 2021
    World Premiere
    Non-competitive screening
  • Institut für Alles Mögliche
    Berlin
    Germany
    June 6, 2021
    European Premiere
    Non-competitive screening
  • Mallu Film Market
    Thiruvananthapuram
    India
    July 1, 2021
    Asian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Nature Independent Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    August 19, 2021
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival Film Bahari
    Cirebon
    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 Festival
    Porto
    Portugal
    January 3, 2022
    Portugalese Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Tom Sajewski

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

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.