Laos's Incredible Silk | SLICE | FULL DOCUMENTARY

In Laos, Anou, the grandson of an aristocratic family exiled in 1975, decided to go back home in 2001. By chance, he came across the family home, whose address his parents refused to give him. By chance, in the streets of Vientiane, he bumped into the former manager of his grandmother's weaving workshop.
He decided to stay to prolong his ancestor's quest for quality. Today, the quality of his silks and their natural dyes owe nothing to chance. Designers in New York and Paris work with his collections. He stays in contact with his grandmother, now living in Australia, on Skype. They discuss the upcoming collection...
Documentary: AU FIL DU MONDE - Épisode 5 : Laos
Directed by: ARTURO MIO / ARTE G.E.I.E
Production: Isabelle Dupuy Chavanat & Jill Coulon
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[@SLICEDocumentary]

Do people in your country also maintain traditional weaving methods and wear traditional clothing?

[@09onammtaamut]

Yes 😊 and weaving is similar , though designs are different.

[@jameelislamin1513]

Ggg

[@gypsyjade7170]

Yes I am from a small community in Appalachia and I still spin on a wheel, a traditional drop spindle and weave as well as crochet and knit 🧶 🐑

[@mendohoney]

I visited Laos back in 1997. I have fabric that I believe is woven by these same ladies! I love it. I want to go back, and now I want to meet these people featured here in this video! I love the adherence to using natural fibers and dye.... It is time for a renaissance in the fiber world

[@jkinmon]

Every frame of this beautiful, beautiful film is a piece of art!

[@dominicmedina3930]

this DOCUMENTARY was AMAZING!!! "head, thread, and hand..." it sticks to me with such meaning. THANK YOU!!!

[@manophiakeo]

I am Lao myself living in San Diego for 35 years I left LAOS in 1979 I am planning to visit sometime next year. Your story is amazing

[@chrissaunders4162]

To find your purpose and honorable traditions of your family is a gift! I loved this story and his journey of discovery. It’s my day off from work and it was nice to start my day off with this beautiful family! Continued blessings!❤

[@christinelewis5765]

Fascinating! The amount of artistry, work, dedication…staggering! Thank you for sharing this.

[@camellabailey5548]

This type of work requires patience, grace, passion, precision and love. 😍 Thank you for sharing 🇯🇲

[@soosansuryawan1599]

Thank you for sharing your incredible journey back home. You're keeping alive an intricate and complex craft that may have otherwise been lost. 🙏🏾

[@deborahhebblethwaite1865]

I love fabric, and for many years had an antique business using gorgeous pieces of fabric and creating a new product. For instance, the old Persian carpets that were worn would be turned into pillows and the back of the pillow, would be secondhand leather goods. Unfortunately, most people do not appreciate the art , the time, the sweat, the tears that goes into creating a work of art, as opposed to just some regular cloth or rug, or whatever it is. I couldn’t care less that Jennifer Aniston, or anybody else is wearing some of the latest creation that you have created if she doesn’t understand how precious it is. I suppose for you, and in your business, of course you want to become famous and make more money. But these ladies are gold,….treat them well. We have invented machinery to make very complicated things with precision. What I like about a handmade product is the slight imperfections. Thank you for this video.🇨🇦🙏🙏🙏

[@PatrickShanahan-ei2bf]

Spectacular. Brilliant. Energetic. Peaceful. Thank you.

[@siakondeh7103]

Thank you Anou and your wonderful staff family for this amazing insight into Lao weaving and silk heritage and living art. I just returned to the UK after nearly 3 years living and working in Laos. Learning about, buying, and wearing Lao silk was a highlight (alongside many great experiences- the wonderful welcoming people, amazing food, breathtaking Mekong sunset, and impressive landscapes). Particularly, learning about the diverse weaving styles/patterns/motiffs//techniques across Lao groups (with one- the naga motiff now inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2023). I'm earnesly sharing this documentary with friends and family, so they can also understand why I rave so much about simply beautiful Laos. Great documentary.

[@HueNYC]

Great doc thanks for posting it. The production is also great. Very calming

[@scorpioninpink]

I love documentaries such as this. I love textile arts and I am learning how to weave.

[@SLICEDocumentary]

That's amazing !

[@georgia8953]

Great story❤

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

At the end, when you say that you feel a calmness there, I think, for me anyway, that would come from being a part of the natural world that you say that's the anima, or, if a leaf blows a certain way, that means something... like that. It's paying attention to a High degree to the natural world around you, makes, least for me, it makes me calm. A lovely documentary.

[@natmeyy7590]

Beautiful fabrics true artisans.

[@marionchase-kleeves8311]

Living and working in WA, OR, and CA i met many people from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. All hardworking and decent people. Sme had difficulty with gangs. In Salem OR I had a neighbor whose family escaped communists by floating down the MeKong R. The 80 year old grandmother woke each morning at 4 am fed family and went to pic berries for cash. She also did beautiful embroidery and fabric work. Their father worked for US Military. Chinese communists tortured him to death. My friends 2 oldest brothers were shot while trying to escape. Not an easy life. This is quite a compelling story. Rebuilding after such devistation. My friends family were targeted because they were converted to Christianity over 100 years ago. So many stories I could tell...

[@pemawangchuk6500]

love from Bhutan 🇧🇹🇧🇹🇧🇹🇧🇹🇧🇹

[@may-maytanymaytany_s3417]

Thank you,wonderful documentary. I also left Laos to Canada in 1975. 🙏

[@sybilleelsner4082]

Thank you so much for your being. Namaste

[@Thedroneborneo87]

Very nice video bro,suport from borneo sarawak

[@helenelepreux7550]

Où son les hommes ? C'est magnifique ,un trésor

[@alpineflauge909]

epic

[@09onammtaamut]

Slice 😊 you should visit us , Arunachal Pradesh , INDIA !!!

[@muratkoclar]

Where is the workshop in Vientiane?

[@ayshemaylke5344]

❤

[@09onammtaamut]

We do find wraparound of the design shared here , marketed from Myanmar.

[@kavanobrien6547]

Why don’t you send the samples in a different format example = in a frame like the small ones I see on the wall or make a cushion to send as a sample , you have to be as if you was receiving the sample what would you like to have because these companies are receiving many pieces which are in draws screwed up = so put as much thought into what would make your sample stand out from the rest , it is obvious you have passion for what you do , hardest thing to do in life is the ability to take a step back from oneself to see outside in rather than always seeing inside out.

[@Shaftalooooo]

We have to ask them Our standards may not be there standard. Few years back, a relative of mine came to visit us in the capital city. We offered them beds and blankets at night. The next morning the whole family were complaining of restless night.😂😂😂 They used to sleep on the floor on a bamboo sheet and wole.

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

Where are all the young people?? The ones to pass your traditions to? Also why are you using Thailand silk instead of Laotian silk?? I really really hope that you get what your cloth is worth with that much hand weaving involved that is just incredible amount of time to spend on this it just seems like you would need hundreds of dollars per yard! I hope you get it and the woman doing the work get it!! ☯️

[@ricardo_herbig]

Um povo sem sua cultura ê um povo que pode desaparecer! Os filhos e as filhas do amanhã são a resposta para futuras perguntas! De onde viemos para onde podemos e quermos ir? As crianças são o futuro!❤❤❤

[@limdesmond284]

Where the address n contact details

[@whatUPitsJORDAN]

So is it silk or cotton? Fabric looks thick.

[@alisong2328]

In the village, they mention cotton. Anou uses silk.

[@DW-xo8tg]

Why are they sleeping on the floor. They work very hard. You should give them a proper place to sleep and get rest.

[@funwithFred]

Yes, that is my question, too. I hope they're treated well and he is kind to them. They do BEAUTIFUL work, with gorgeous natural dyes........priceless.

[@Urtongueizursword]

Asian folks like sleeping on the floor do it won’t make you lazy 😉

[@michellesimpson6639]

In many countries it is customary to sleep on the floor/ground and if you were to give them a bed they most likely would not sleep on it they may sit on it during the day. Imagine that you have slept on the floor your whole life, it would be very hard to get used to sleeping on a bed I think.

[@funwithFred]

@@michellesimpson6639 Yes, we are talking about it with some people here......and perhaps that is the reason.

[@gypsyjade7170]

Sleeping on the floor is their normal that would be like them coming to your home and insisting you sleep on the floor. It’s ok to have differences, we don’t have to understand to accept. 💞

[@DAYBROK3]

tossing a piece of hand woven silk in a box like a rag is criminal

[@harbinger6562]

Good afternoon ♥️🇱🇦🦾😇👋

[@lauriepercy2272]

Why are these people resting under their looms with absolutely no privacy? Isn't that sweatshop conditions.

[@pamelabateman9211]

At 45 minutes- No it is not great that your goal is to make fabric that famous people or decorators may want. The fabric and design and history - these are enough. You are in fact a foreigner as long as you have those goals. You are commodifying a lovely historical tradition. And please don't fall back on the trope that you are giving these women a well paid job. They were doing fine without you.

[@user-xx1qz8vs4o]

tourism destroys nothing left untouched don't become a tourist attraction

[@ruralangwin]

As in Napa Valley. Destroyed.

[@JungleJoeVN]

I wonder if Anou has watched this.

[@angelaberni8873]

This is art at it's best. Why oh why do people buy cheap Chinese crap !!!

[@charonrothmiller-cash9976]

If he likes them leaving them to be what he likes is best

[@farehanoor6671]

Now its time to marry one those beautiful Laoush lady and together grow your family and business .❤ very nice and amazing video .

[@mariajara8165]

I hope he doesn't exploit this workers 😢

[@faithfuljourneyeater]

horrible how he is so negative about them having to cook, tend to children, and survive outside of weaving. 😢. comes across condescending and opressive and narcissistic 🙄🤔😡

[@harbinger6562]

Be right back i have to explain something ♥️🇱🇦🦾😇