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.