Finding Palemahan (13:36 Min)

Finding Palemahan focuses on the story of Tangkas Village, a community in Bali, Indonesia found a solution to plastic pollution by uniting behind an ancient philosophy: Tri Hita Karana. The philosophy is depicted by a triangle representing a way of living harmoniously with gods, nature, and other human beings. Palemahan is the term that specifically defines the relationship between beings and the environment Tri-Hita-Karana.

While the Balinese traditional practices cultivate a harmonious relationship with nature, for example designating ceremonies to honor trees and rice goddesses, modern development has brought a new material: plastic. Now, plastic wrappers are found in offerings and plastic bottles are used by priests in ceremonies honoring Mother Nature.

Palemahan has been disrupted as Balinese and visitors continue to use more and more plastic in daily lives. In rural areas, plastic continues to be burned and thrown into rivers and the ocean. Unlike in Western countries, there has been a lack of environmental education surrounding this issue and many Balinese do not recognize the harm of plastic to the environment. Tangkas Village intends on preserving the cultural value of living in harmony with nature in the wake of waste.

About the Filmmakers…

Jillian Li

I am currently an Associate Producer for a Burning Man docu series directed by academy nominated director Jehane Noujaim. I started my film career by directing the student film Finding Palemahan, which is about a local based solution to plastic pollution. From there, I worked as Marketing Manager at Jackson Wild, an organization that accelerates and elevates impactful storytelling at the nexus of nature, science and conservation. I continued on to work on nonfiction and fiction productions which include: HBO’s The Vow Part II, Showtime’s Lincoln Project, and more recently two projects still in development: a Burning Man docuseries and Shelf Life, a series about three women who create a bookstore in Cairo, Egypt.

My multicultural upbringing, as someone who is half Chinese and Jewish, has taught me how to understand situations through a variety of different cultural lenses. Growing up, my parents gave me the gift of travel. I learned about issues from individuals who experience them firsthand. This type of traveling showed me how big the world is outside of my hometown Palo Alto. The problems I have researched, such as plastic pollution and sex trafficking, are easier to push aside when they are not directly affecting us. Therefore, my mission is to use the medium of film to instill a sense of global community. https://www.findingpalemahan.com

Daisy Johnson

Passionate about conservation, I discovered the crucial role of environmental communication during my undergraduate years at the University of Michigan. While conducting research for an Environmental Policy course, my focus was on the Subak system in Bali—an ancient wisdom-based approach ensuring harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife. The profound spiritual connection the Balinese maintained with the land, rooted in the "Ti-hita-Karana" Philosophy emphasizing harmony among nature, land, and humans, deeply fascinated me.

Motivated by the challenges posed by ongoing tourism, I embarked on the creation of the documentary film "Palemahan" in collaboration with fellow University of Michigan student Jillian Li and other aspiring filmmakers. Subsequently, I co-produced two additional documentary films and contributed to a short episode for Blue Horizons, LexProductions, and Apparent Winds.

Driven by a passion for instigating positive change, I pursued a master's in public administration at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Now, as a communications strategist, I advocate for environmental nonprofits, start-up companies, and larger corporations.

Outside of my professional pursuits, I find joy in hiking in Big Sur, surfing, diving, horseback riding, and enjoying moments with friends and family.

Photos: Fitz Productions, Open Ocean Productions, and Glenn Allen