"The Phantom Combatants is a reimagining of the story of Len Karamoy, a woman who was a member of Permesta, a CIA-funded resistance movement active in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 1957 to 1961."
"The warriors are taking part in rituals that see them variously morph, strengthen and multiply throughout the 22-minute run-time."
"It is, more broadly, a campy, fantastical exploration of autonomy and resistance that relates as much to the present day as it does to the era it is focused on."
"Karamoy, Tontey says, has been overlooked in the history books, which have focused instead on Jan Timbuleng, her husband and the muse for the film's Photographist character."
Natasha Tontey's installation at Ateneo Veneto features a dramatic entry leading to her work, The Phantom Combatants. This piece reimagines Len Karamoy's story, a member of the CIA-funded Permesta movement in Indonesia. Karamoy seeks retribution against her lover, the Photographist, whose betrayal weakens their cause. The installation combines campy aesthetics with Indigenous beliefs and modern technology, prompting reflections on autonomy and resistance. Tontey emphasizes Karamoy's overlooked role in history, contrasting her with her husband, Jan Timbuleng, who has received more recognition.
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