The Book of Paradise Has No Author

Directed by Ross Lipman

In this eclectic spin on the concert film, Ross Lipman transforms footage of one of his celebrated live documentary performances into a new video essay that's at once an archaeological dig and a riveting history. Its underlying subject is the origin of civilization - as comprised entirely of media clips. In the summer of 1971 Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos announced the discovery of a tribe of primitive cave dwellers who had lived in complete isolation for thousands of years in the rain forest of Mindanao. The Tasaday indigenous group represented a chance to witness firsthand the roots of our culture, and to explore the very essence of humanity. They also-as we learn-offered Marcos and his cronies a unique political opportunity.