In a deep rural area of southern India, the powerful Hindu deity Balaji has a strong influence on Saraswathi. Like many women in her village, she combs the long dark hair of her young daughters in a daily ritual. Excess hair gains monetary value when the Narikurava, an outcast bird-hunting tribe, visit the villages to collect hair in exchange for household items. Black Gold is human hair. One day, Saraswathi decides to offer her precious long hair to the deity Balaji in a temple to fulfil a wish. Again, someone somewhere in the world profits from her spiritual act.
Director: Takashi Sugimoto
Script: Takashi Sugimoto
Cinematography: Rui Xavier
Sound Editor: Kriti Kamal Das, Hugo Leitão
Editing: Rita Pestana, Luísa Homem
Music: João Gomes
Producer: Filipa Reis
Production: Uma Pedra no Sapato
Portuguese Distributor: Uma Pedra no Sapato
Funded by: ICA – Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual, RTP – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal
Festivals and Awards
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
DOCS@PÖFF Competition (EE 11.2024)
Jury Special Prize
33rd International Festival of Ethnological Film
Official Competition (RS 12.2024)
Grand Prix