Blue Shape

*Information at the time of adoption.

Name of the organization or individual

Sybila Patricia

subsidy category

start-up subsidy

Grant Type

single year individual

FY 2023 1st Startup Subsidy

Shinya Kato, an indigo painter

freshly dyed yarn

Indigo Watanabe Kenta

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Business Overview

Shikoku is a verdant island in Japan. The indigo dyeing tradition that has lasted for more than 100 years is in danger of disappearing. Watanabe and Kato, two artisans at the forefront of indigo dyeing art, embark on an inner journey. One discovers the meaning of indigo colors, while the other confronts his own color blindness and explores the art of indigo dyeing: harvesting, fermenting, and dyeing indigo in accordance with the changing seasons in Japan. The emotional and physical changes that shape the color of the indigo are revealed as their lives are interwoven. Sybila Patricia's award-winning documentary The Shape of Blue combines documentary filmmaking and artistic expression to explore the meaning of color in life through two artisans. The documentary short film was screened online for a limited time in March 2024.

implementation period

March 23, 2024 -30

Place of implementation

Online

*Information such as project outlines is provided by organizations and individuals providing subsidies.

Profile

Sibira Patricia
She is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and photographer based in Tokyo.
In 2022, Sybila Patricia filmed the Emmy-winning VICE News documentary The Dark Side of Manga. Ao no Kata, a film about Japan's ancient art of indigo dyeing, won the Best Design, Sunny Side of the Docs, and Docedge Kolkata awards at Tokyo Docs 2023. "Menstruation: A Taboo," a documentary about prejudice against menstruation in Japanese society, won the Best Film Award at Tokyo Docs and premiered at the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival.