The Split Horn:Life of a Hmong Shaman in America
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Film Overview

Directed By: Taggart Siegel View Official Website	Release Date: 2002-06-14 Running Time: 0:57 Content Rating: not yet rated
Genres: Documentary >> International :: Instructional >> Multiculturalism

Synopsis

The Split Horn chronicles the seventeen-year journey of a Hmong shaman and his family transplanted from the mountains of Laos to Appleton, Wisconsin. As a shaman, Paja Thao ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of friends and family with elaborate rituals that bridge the natural and spirit worlds. His young daughter’s narration gives us insight into the transition from an Asian village to Middle America.

To his dismay, Paja’s children are losing touch with their family’s ancient traditions as they turn to TV, computer games and Christianity. Only his youngest daughter, age fourteen, who studies Hmong traditional dance, seems interested in her culture. Paja’s sixteen-year-old son, Xue, works at the local pizza parlor and spends most of this time with his American girlfriend. Paja’s concern about family unity deepen when Xue reveals his girlfriend is pregnant. Paja’s older children have started families of their own, turning to Christianity and severing ties to their ancient Hmong traditions.

Seeing his family splinter causes Paja great sadness. He conducts a ceremony and while in trance, discover that his own soul has strayed from his body. He spirals into depression and is unable to heal himself or to perform rituals for others for a year.

Ultimately, the crisis sets off a family and community response that helps restore the shaman’s strength and reunites his family.

This film is intended for home use only. For educational purposes (schools, libraries, etc.), please contact:

Center for Asian American Media formerly NAATA 415.863.0814

Filmakers Library
212.808.4980

Cast

Expert Consultant: Dwight Conquergood
Expert Consultant: Xiong Hu
Hmong Consultant: Joe Davy
Narrator: Chai Thao

Crew

Producer: Taggart Siegel
Producer: Jim McSilver | bio
Jim McSilver has produced documentaries, shorts and feature films since 1990. He line produced and production managed indie features including Seldom Dreaming and the 1999 Sundance feature Life Tastes Good. McSilver has written and directed documentaries and educational videos for University of Colorado and Lifetime Television about emerging trends in the nursing and health care fields. As an editor, McSilver has cut documentaries including the hour-long performance documentary Dancing Thunder and worked as co-editor on the independent feature film Life Tastes Good. He is a producer and co-director of the feature film in development, TED: A One-Woman Movie.
Director: Taggart Siegel | bio
Taggart Siegel has been directing award-winning documentaries and dramas for 25 years that reflect cultural diversity with absorbing style. From spiritual elders struggling to preserve traditions in alien environments to marginalized youth surviving hostile streets, the subjects of his films present vital perspectives rarely seen on mainstream media. The Real Dirt on Farmer John won 31 International Film Festivals awards and is currently being released theatrically around the world. Siegel’s films bring compelling voices and visions to a global audience. Siegel is the co-founder of Collective Eye, Inc., a non-profit media organization based in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.
Executive Producer: Sarita Siegel | bio
Sarita Siegel has been filmmaking for 10 years in America, New Zealand and England. Sarita Siegel created Alchemy Films with Taggart Siegel. Alchemy Films has made award-winning cross-cultural films and natural history subjects with an awareness of conservation. Alchemy Films documentaries have been broadcast on National Geographic Channels, US PBS, ARTE, and France Channel 5. Titles include The Split Horn (2001), The Disenchanted Forest (2002), Destroying Angel (1995) and The Beloved (1997).
Sound Design: Philip Perkins, C.A.S.
Sound Design: Daniel Kobialka | bio
Music Composer and Performer

Accolades

Awards

Award of Excellence, Society for Visual Anthropology Film & Video
Emmy Nominated

Press Reviews

Asian Week | show/hide snippet
"It would be difficult for another documentary to equal the scope
of Taggart Siegel's film THE SPLIT HORN: Life of a Hmong
Shaman in America." -Justin Lowe
San Francisco International | show/hide snippet
THE SPLIT HORN: Life of a Hmong Shaman in America is a
remarkable achievement. An intimate exploration of family, place
and culture, it tenderly reveals the complexities of assimilation in
the United States and the generational conflicts, which naturally
follow this process. Through his incredible access to the Thao
family, Siegel reveals the untold experiences and stories of the
Hmong American community and uncovers a vibrant segment of
American society. -Chi-hui Yang
author of Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred | show/hide snippet
"THE SPLIT HORN is the latest testimony to Taggart Siegel's
extraordinary talent. It's a wise, moving tribute not only to the
courage of a fascinating immigrant people, but also to the ability
of film to capture that courage. With unflinching honesty,
unsentimental compassion and an unerring sense of how the
camera communicates, Siegel has given us a film that will have
enduring value for everyone interested in how social structures
and cultural histories struggle to survive in an alien land." -
Donald Spoto