American Soil, Chamorro Soul is a modern documentary film about the people of Guam. Through interviews, the film reveals what Chamorro culture means in 2015 as three generations of Chamorro people describe the cultural Renaissance in dancing, medicine, and traditional canoe building.
The people, culture, and beauty of Guam have gone largely undocumented, especially to the English market. As a U.S. territory, Guam struggles to be both American and to retain Chamorro cultural values.
Our lens takes an unflinching look at both the raw beauty of Guam and the struggles of its inhabitants to preserve their cultural identity from WWII to the present. Shot in an original cinematic style, this arresting film stands alone in the culture documentary genre.
The Guam documentary will be submitted to international film festivals, FESTPAC 2016, The Guam International Film Festival, Docomo Pacific cable channels, and Guam movie theaters. With more than 28,000 readers and followers, The Guam Guide marketing arm will push the film to mainstream audiences using all of its media channels.
Watch the Trailer
About the Filmmakers
Jessica Peterson, Producer & Director
Jessica is the creator of popular travel websites, The Guam Guide and Global Girl Travels. She is a local TV host, social media expert, and travel writer. Her travel stories and photographs have appeared in National Geographic Snorkeler, Lonely Planet, and United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine.
Jessica is the community awareness specialist for Farm to Table Guam, a non-profit dedicated to expanding Guam’s agriculture industry and supporting local farmers and producers.
Brandon Li, Cinematographer & Editor
Originally from the U.S.A. and now a world nomad, Brandon has previously worked as a producer on MTV’s docu-reality show True Life. He now shoots commercials and short films about the world as he sees it. Brandon regularly produces commercial films for Etihad Airways. View Brandon’s portfolio at Unscripted.com.
Cultural & Historical Experts
Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua, PhD
Assistant Professor of Chamorro Studies, University of Guam
Dr. Judy Flores, PhD
Folklorist, Historian and Artist
Dr. Kelly G. Marsh (Taitano), PhD
Adjunct Professor, University of Guam
In addition, Chamorro dance experts and practitioners from Pa’a Taotao Tano’ will be featured.
Film Sponsors
