Along The Ugum River

‘Along The Ugum River’ is an historical fiction story set on the island of Guam in 1972. It takes place in the southern village of Talofofo, whose Chamoru residents survived the island’s Japanese occupation during World War II. While fishing along the river, Napu encounters a Japanese soldier who has been hiding in the surrounding jungles since the end of the war. Napu captures the soldier and therefore must decide his fate – should he bring the soldier back to the village or seek vengeance for the atrocities done to his family by the Imperial Japanese Army. The arrival of another villager, Francesca, further complicates Napu’s decision as the soldier inadvertently leads them to his cave, where he lived for 28 years.

Film Content Advisory: Grief

Credits
Writer: Neil Tinkham
Producer: Myracle Mugol, Neil Tinkham
Executive Producer: Cheryl Hirasa
Director of Photography: James Davis
Editor: Brian Muna, Neil Tinkham
Production Designer: Lorzalyn Espinosa
Composer: Micah Garrido
Sound Designer: Teddy Salas
Music: Micah Garrido

Plays in

Indigenous NOW: Trees in the Wind

Films depicting indigenous peoples living in nations now known as China, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Guam confront their mortality in the face of modernization and systemic oppression, remaining steadfast in protecting their land and culture.