About this Video
Rooted in Pa Klang village in rural Thailand, the Hmong community blends tradition with modernity. This short documentary focuses on the role of female Txiv Neeb, or shamans. Their stories echo through the hills of Pa Klang, highlighting the contrast between traditional ceremonies and the contemporary challenges faced by Hmong women in Thailand. Against the backdrop of rural northeastern Thailand, we explore the resilience of female Txiv Neeb through generations of adversities. With intimate moments and ceremonial rituals, we are allowed time to reflect on identity, womanhood, and cultural heritage.
Creator
Blake Knecht
Creator
Blake is a filmmaker and photographer based in Las Vegas, NV, who gravitates toward documentary and experimental formats. She recently graduated with her MFA in Documentary Media from Northwestern University. Her debut short film, Now That We Are Sending You to The End, premiered this fall in IDFA’s Competition for Short Documentary and Slamdance's 2026 Experimental Shorts competition.
Her recent work involves hand-altering film and exploring sustainable approaches to image-making in alignment with her interest in ecological storytelling. She explores landscapes as evolving narratives, tracing the relationships between land, labor, and movement.