Taray (Run) Short Film!
Honolulu, Hawaii | Film Short
Horror, Experimental
Let's explore and share our family stories and culture so that we can honor those who came before us. This is an Igorot (indigenous mountain people of the Philippines) story about the impact of war and Japanese occupation during World War II.
Taray (Run) Short Film!
Honolulu, Hawaii | Film Short
Horror, Experimental
1 Campaigns | Hawaii, United States
26 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$2,530
Goal: $5,000 for production
Let's explore and share our family stories and culture so that we can honor those who came before us. This is an Igorot (indigenous mountain people of the Philippines) story about the impact of war and Japanese occupation during World War II.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the 1940s Cordilleras, Philippines, a young Igorot girl, Elena, awakens from a nightmare of dark omens, only to find the monstrous shadow of war lurking in every corner of her life, foretelling the real horrors yet to come.
Why me?
Stories are important. Once we forget those stories, we forget a part of ourselves and we forget those who came before us. The exploration of my personal cultural identity and family history (Igorot Filipinx and Chinese) has been the inspiration and motivation for this film. Both sides of my family are Igorot. Igorots are the mountain people of the Philippines and it is made up of different tribes from the Cordilleras. They have similarities but they also have and do things that make them unique. Some of the similarities include things such as instruments such gangsa (brass gongs) playing, weaving, tattoos, affinity for nature, helping and supporting, and pride.
Why this?
Growing up, I heard a story from my mom about my lola (grandma) during World War II and when I went to the Philippines in 2019, I decided to ask my lola about it as her health was declining (in her late 80s at this point). The story goes that when my lola was young, they had to run up the mountains when they were warned that the Japanese were coming. My lola had scars on her legs from going up into the mountains because the brush was so thick that it cut her. They hid in the mountains for several years. They would only cook at night so the smoke wouldn’t be seen. They ran because when the Japanese came to villages/towns, they burned houses and took their animals and whatever they needed. I actually have a recording of my lola telling me this story. It was also in this same trip where I learned when my family stopped practicing certain traditions and it was within my mom’s generation. Due to a change in religion, they had to stop practicing as they were told it was against their new religion. So that also inspired me to keep exploring my cultural identity and the want to share this culture with everyone. Also my lola passed away several years ago so I wanted to create this film in honor of her and her story. I hope that people become aware that there are many stories like this one and I hope that by sharing my story that others will be encouraged to search, learn, and explore their own.
Why now?
As the world goes through conflict, I wanted to acknowledge that conflict/war hurts everyone. Each side believes that they are doing right by their country/culture. It affects every person in every moment no matter how small the moment is and no matter what role they play. With stories like this, we make sure we learn from before and remember why we should not repeat it. Thank you!
How the money will be used?
Funds raised will be used to support the actors and crew that believe in this story and have been continuously putting in their effort and energy to make this project come to life. This will allow them to continuously sustain their craft and to be encouraged to continue in their field. This allows affirms their belief in the importance and value of making stories like this come to life. Once again, thank you! Agyamanak! Salamat! Mahalo!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Help me thank my hard working cast and crew for bringing my Lola's story to life!
Costs $3,000
Most of my cast and crew have volunteered their time to make this story come to life. I would like to be able to give them a bit more.
Help me feed my cast and crew!
Costs $1,000
To feed my cast and crew for 4 days of filming, this includes extras well of course! :)
Help me cover the cost of costumes and the set!
Costs $1,000
This takes place in the 1940s Cordilleras so the costuming will be from that time. I need to purchase particular cultural outfits as well.
Share this update!
About This Team
Romyn Kim Sabatchi is an Igorot/Filipina-Chinese American filmmaker and actor passionate about telling stories that inspire empathy, reflection, and action. As a creative storyteller, she seeks stories and roles that challenge perceptions, encourage compassion, and bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. Romyn thrives in stories that push boundaries, allowing her to explore complex narratives and evoke meaningful connections with people. She likes food, Pokemon, Snoopy, and playing basketball.
I have a production crew of at least 15 people and a post-production of crew of at least 7. They're all an awesome group that's dedicated to telling stories and keeping the culture alive.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the 1940s Cordilleras, Philippines, a young Igorot girl, Elena, awakens from a nightmare of dark omens, only to find the monstrous shadow of war lurking in every corner of her life, foretelling the real horrors yet to come.
Why me?
Stories are important. Once we forget those stories, we forget a part of ourselves and we forget those who came before us. The exploration of my personal cultural identity and family history (Igorot Filipinx and Chinese) has been the inspiration and motivation for this film. Both sides of my family are Igorot. Igorots are the mountain people of the Philippines and it is made up of different tribes from the Cordilleras. They have similarities but they also have and do things that make them unique. Some of the similarities include things such as instruments such gangsa (brass gongs) playing, weaving, tattoos, affinity for nature, helping and supporting, and pride.
Why this?
Growing up, I heard a story from my mom about my lola (grandma) during World War II and when I went to the Philippines in 2019, I decided to ask my lola about it as her health was declining (in her late 80s at this point). The story goes that when my lola was young, they had to run up the mountains when they were warned that the Japanese were coming. My lola had scars on her legs from going up into the mountains because the brush was so thick that it cut her. They hid in the mountains for several years. They would only cook at night so the smoke wouldn’t be seen. They ran because when the Japanese came to villages/towns, they burned houses and took their animals and whatever they needed. I actually have a recording of my lola telling me this story. It was also in this same trip where I learned when my family stopped practicing certain traditions and it was within my mom’s generation. Due to a change in religion, they had to stop practicing as they were told it was against their new religion. So that also inspired me to keep exploring my cultural identity and the want to share this culture with everyone. Also my lola passed away several years ago so I wanted to create this film in honor of her and her story. I hope that people become aware that there are many stories like this one and I hope that by sharing my story that others will be encouraged to search, learn, and explore their own.
Why now?
As the world goes through conflict, I wanted to acknowledge that conflict/war hurts everyone. Each side believes that they are doing right by their country/culture. It affects every person in every moment no matter how small the moment is and no matter what role they play. With stories like this, we make sure we learn from before and remember why we should not repeat it. Thank you!
How the money will be used?
Funds raised will be used to support the actors and crew that believe in this story and have been continuously putting in their effort and energy to make this project come to life. This will allow them to continuously sustain their craft and to be encouraged to continue in their field. This allows affirms their belief in the importance and value of making stories like this come to life. Once again, thank you! Agyamanak! Salamat! Mahalo!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Help me thank my hard working cast and crew for bringing my Lola's story to life!
Costs $3,000
Most of my cast and crew have volunteered their time to make this story come to life. I would like to be able to give them a bit more.
Help me feed my cast and crew!
Costs $1,000
To feed my cast and crew for 4 days of filming, this includes extras well of course! :)
Help me cover the cost of costumes and the set!
Costs $1,000
This takes place in the 1940s Cordilleras so the costuming will be from that time. I need to purchase particular cultural outfits as well.
Share this update!
About This Team
Romyn Kim Sabatchi is an Igorot/Filipina-Chinese American filmmaker and actor passionate about telling stories that inspire empathy, reflection, and action. As a creative storyteller, she seeks stories and roles that challenge perceptions, encourage compassion, and bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. Romyn thrives in stories that push boundaries, allowing her to explore complex narratives and evoke meaningful connections with people. She likes food, Pokemon, Snoopy, and playing basketball.
I have a production crew of at least 15 people and a post-production of crew of at least 7. They're all an awesome group that's dedicated to telling stories and keeping the culture alive.