The Guardian of Stories
A documentary about memory, tradition, and the power of storytelling
Selected for the Golden Goblet Award competition at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, The Guardian of Stories will celebrate its world premiere on June 20, 2025, in one of Asia’s most prestigious film events.
Set in Laos, the film follows a young storyteller, Siphai Thammavong, on his journey to remote villages, where he collects and preserves the oral tales of elders from different ethnic groups. These are stories passed down for generations—never written down, always at risk of being lost forever.
Two of the traditional myths collected in the film are brought to life through puppetry by the Khao Niew Lao Theater Company from Vientiane. Their handcrafted puppets, made from natural materials, transform ancient stories into a vivid visual language of figure theater, shadows, and animated objects.
The film moves between two intertwined narrative levels: the documentary journey through Laos and the theatrical staging of its myths. It reflects on cultural memory, spirituality, and identity, while also capturing the tension between oral traditions and a fast-moving digital world.
The Guardian of Stories is a cinematic tribute to the guardians of memory—and a poetic call to protect the invisible heritage carried in stories, voices, and landscapes.
Chinese director Wang Lina for CGTN “The director cleverly uses two parallel storylines. One follows Siphai's real journey through villages tracking down storytellers, filmed with handheld-style shots for an authentic documentary feel. The other visually recreates the ancient legends told by these storytellers, using shifting light and shadow, along with traditional music to build a mythical world.
This creates a fascinating dialogue between the present and the ancient past. Interestingly, the director avoids portraying Siphai as a typical hero. The camera shows his uncertainties when questioned by villagers, his mistakes while recording, and his struggles with local dialects. This "imperfect" approach deconstructs romanticized storytelling and offers an honest portrayal of the challenges involved in saving a fading tradition.
But the film redefines documentary ethics with a powerful perspective: the camera isn't just a recording device – it becomes an active tool in helping to preserve a civilization. At a time when the digital age threatens to erase local cultures, this film offers more than sadness – it shows a way to act. Before these traditions vanish forever, filmmaking itself can become "The Guardian of Stories," saving the essential spirit of a culture.“