The Undiscovered Country: A Tale of Color and Development

When god Lowa created the world, he sent artists Lewoj and Lanij to paint colorful patterns onto the creatures on Earth. According to Marshallese lore, people learned from the artists and used colors to denote identity, rank, and duty. The Marshallese of today, however, face new challenges in navigating the colors of their past. Globalization, foreign military interests, and climate change converge in the Pacific where the Marshallese are trying to forge a path towards 'development.' The Undiscovered Country explores the clash between tradition and modernity by fusing documentary with animation and theater. Combining perspectives of local fishermen, students, politicians, and foreign educators with traditional stories and Marshallese adaptations of Shakespeare's Hamlet and The Tempest, it examines the impact of 'development' on Lowa's colorful world.