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 * Note: This film does already have an article (Ika Hands) but definitely needs improvement - let me know when you're ready to move this live.

Ika Hands is a 1988 film by ethnographic filmmaker Robert Gardner.

Synopsis
The film focuses on the Ika people of the Northern part of Colombia and their daily lives. The many tasks that these indigenous people perform on a daily basis, such as gathering wool and grinding corn are shown throughout the entirety of the film. Alongside this depiction, a conversation takes place between Gardner and anthropologist,Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff. They converse on Gardner's filming techniques and how he manages to film the Ika people. Gardner films the Ika people in their natural habitat, without any script, dialogue, or interview, creating a raw feel to the film. It is a film that captures the true essence of a group of people and how they choose to continue the traditions that their Mayan ancestors created before them.

While focusing primarily on the tasks and lives of the Ika People, Gardner as well chooses to focus on the priest of the village, Mama Manco. There is a certain split within the village people and their tasks and Mama Manco's tasks. While the other people are focusing on mundane daily tasks, Mama Manco's ritualistic practices are highlighted, as they are very important. Although the daily tasks of the Ika people are subtitled by a small phrase, it is evident and obvious to what they are doing, unlike Mama Manco's tasks. Mama Manco's tasks are a little more complex and do not have much of an explanation. His tasks are introduced just as the other tasks, but they are not as obvious as the task of fetching water or cutting rope. While there is an introduction, there is no further explanation as to why Mama Manco is doing what he is doing, like dancing or collecting beads.

The film does a well job in exploring the lives of these people that are socially disintegrated from society and just stick within their groups. With minimal dialogue, there's a grand depiction of their lives that is shown through small doings. Gardner and Reichel-Dolmatoff's commentary gives a bit more of information on the film's purpose, but the content is enough to showcase what Ika Hands emphasizes.

Cast

 * Robert Gardner, Director
 * Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff
 * Mama Manco, Priest
 * Ika people

Release information
The film was released in 1988 by Documentary Educational Resources. It was again released in 2008 as a special edition in DVD format. The special edition includes the film, a short documentary that further examines the Ika people, and data that is read by Gardner.

Reception
The film is one of Gardner's well known films. It is not as popular as others, such as Dead Birds. Ika Hands was featured in a German Film Festival, [https://www.freiburger-filmforum.de/en/focus/robert-gardner/?sdtid=1365#1365. Freiburger Film Forum], the year the film was released.