The Bimo Records

In the Daliang Mountain region of Sichuan China, lives the ancient tribal Yi minority. Their priests are called Bimo.For hundreds even thousands of years, the Bimo have relied on memorized scriptures to communicate their people’s desires with the ghosts and spirits of the world.This film follows the story of three very different Bimos.

The Spell Casting Bimo comes from a clan famous for the power of their curses.He specializes in black magic rituals. One curse is enough to hurt, even kill a person. But with the Chinese government’s prohibition of these ceremonies he has fallen from a position of feared power to sad unemployment. The Soul Calling Bimo is the respected master of white magic. He cures the sick and calls to souls for help and good fortune. But his past hides sadness and pain. The Village Cadre Bimo: he is empowered by the Communist government with religious Bimo and political cadre status. He holds power in the world of people and spirits. However, when he abuses this power during the village mayor elections, he is dismissed by the government. Times change. But the ancient tribal stories of the Bimo continue on…