Maisa - Brothers & Sisters
Thoughts On: Maisa, The Chamoru Girl Who Saves Guåhan (2016)
Made by Michael Q. Ceballos, this is the Micronesian film of the series.
Maisa is a pleasant and educational representation of CHamoru legends and myths; the CHamoru people being native to Guam and the Mariana Islands in the Micronesian region. It displays two stories that emphasise the power of the bond between brothers, sisters and male-female familial counterparts alike. The first story told recounts the CHamoru story of creation, one in which a brother and sister transform their bodies into the earth and humanity. In reflection of this a second story, a legend of the island of Guåhan (Guam) being saved by the combined strength of the CHamoru men and the knowledge of the women, is told. These stories capture a traditional cultural outlook that, in the modern context, exists alongside influences from American culture (among others); seen for example with the birthday cake and familiar associated celebration and heard in the English used in the live-action sequences. This traditional perspective emphasises communal harmony and the collaboration of men and women, who bear distinct roles but share power in the community. This is all encapsulated by the fact that the stories are told to a brother and sister who are fighting as to make them get along and clear any confusion on what the Taotaomo'na (their ancestors) are. The moral is clear; that a disunited community will be eaten inside out by foreign forces, and that their spiritual ancestors binding them to their land must be harmonised with. This could be seen as a note on the modern exchange of culture in the region, one that emphasises the place of traditional practice and perspectives and their importance in keeping native people united. Narratively, these stories paint an image of a culture that sees the feminine as a force of creative ingenuity and the masculine as a force of creative power. These forces are shown to be best balanced through a familial bond between siblings, rather than a romantic bond between lovers as would be more common in the American narrative context, reflecting the matrilineal nature of CHamoru culture in which familial lineage is traced through mothers. This becomes clear when one considers the presentation of familial stability; it is not just in the bond between male and female, but that between siblings under a female or mother figure. One is reminded here of the CHamoru story of creation; a brother and sister giving their lives up for the creation of the world, the sister becoming the mother of humanity. Such is what the children these stories are told to are guided to respect and understand themselves in context of; their land as their mother. This is where they are directed to find responsibility and morality; they are taught that their role as a brother or sister is most sacred and culturally powerful.
With striking visuals and a distinct story, Maisa is a fascinating short. Its rather empty sound design hinders the manifestation of a complete and immersive cinematic space unfortunately, and the physics complicate the action sequences leaving one wishing this could be more simple in that regard. Nonetheless, animation is used to bring a rich story to the screen, one that presents to younger and older audiences alike some traditional themes and views of the CHamoru people. It can be found online here.
