"When it comes to cockfighting...

The culture of cockfighting, which dates back centuries, is an important activity that has become synonymous with East Timor, conducted widely by the populace, but especially by men on the island.
The documentary 'Sikat Subar – A Hidden Colorful Feather' reflects the current state of the country within a broad spectrum, while meticulously depicting brutal fights that horrify sensitive souls and especially animal rights advocates.

Whether organized secretly or officially, cockfights occupy men extensively. Individuals trapped in unemployment and desperation try to support themselves and even their families with gambling money. The state, attempting to adjust its image to global standards and unable to ban these fights that serve as a sort of opium for the people, at least ensures their official regulation, trying to keep the potentially overflowing male energy under control.
We also witness some men, who have adopted the role of family head in the patriarchal social order, diligently caring for and doing everything in their power to ensure their roosters succeed in the fights, often valuing these animals more than their wives and children.

Director Diogo Pessoa De Andrade uses popular visual, narrative, and screenplay elements to engage the audience as much as possible, prompting us to question a tradition that has become integrated with the people.
This 95-minute documentary from Portugal, made in 2023, aptly sketches the healing process of a people traumatized by years of struggle for independence. A visit to the island to fully absorb the mysterious, varied customs that are somewhat felt in the film would not be a bad idea either…"

>> View the original article in Turkish.
 

Murat Türker - Freelance film critic

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"The film is an eye-opening piece of work, hard to watch sometimes for people of the 'with us, not for us' perception of animals (the cockfighting scenes practically), but still, it being a broader look into Timor-Leste's culture, makes the film a unique one in its topic of exploration. I bet no matter how much one loves world cinema, they know little to nothing of the place (me myself being one of those people). So I can definitely see many reasons why festivals (esp. documentary ones) would want to screen it."

Annita Nitsaidou - Festival Director, WOW Wales One World Film Festival

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"Sikat Subar' handles a complex topic very well without being superficial or biased toward one side. The photography is immediately appreciable; every landscape, often with people fishing, is beautifully captured. The aerial views provide a great setting and context for the documentary, making the viewer feel immersed in the environment. Also, the people interviewed are well-set and contextualized within their world.

First of all, the story of the Timorese people is enlightening, especially during the explanation of the Portuguese colonization, which evokes a sense of déjà vu with the colonization of Indigenous peoples in America and the associated issues with missionaries and Catholicism over traditional rituals and religion. This analogy is reminiscent of the film 'El Abrazio de la Serpiente,' despite its different purpose. The war with the Indonesians is depicted as tough, with aerial views of the cemetery highlighting the cost on the population.
 

The documentary features well-done transitions and effectively balances traditional music with composed pieces. The history and traditions of the Timorese people are fascinating and well-explained. Through their traditions, an analogy with the subdivisions of male and female energy with buffalo and pig is drawn. The importance of having both energies to guide one's life is crucial in many ancient cultures around the world.
 

As often happens, modernity tends to overwhelm the simplicity of traditional life. The documentary highlights that before the Indonesian occupation, there were no bets and cockfighting served as a social aggregation where people could meet and be happy. This prompts deep reflection on how society is often blindfolded by money instead of seeking happiness in life. Tradition and modernity often collide, especially when social issues are closely related. The film encourages analyzing all aspects together, as everything is interconnected and nothing happens in isolation. The problem arises when a tradition is used or corrupted as a social calmer or as a means for the impoverished to seek improvement in their lives."

Francesco Bertani - Composer

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""From my perspective, Sikat Subar is the best thing I've seen so far from Timor-Leste, and the care you devote to the quality of photography and production in general, in my opinion, honors your subjects and elevates their stories."

Sean Chadwell - Executive Director, Blue Chair Film Festival