Silvano Rodrigues Xavier, Timor Leste
Silvano Rodrigues was born in Laga, a sub-district of Baucau in Timor-Leste. Raised during a time of conflict and poverty, Silvano’s upbringing in Timor-Leste motivated him to develop talents in film and theatre through volunteerism. In Timor-Leste, the world of film and theatre is not accessible yet to all Timorese. Thus, Silvano works to encourage other youth to become pioneers in the film and theatre area. Silvano currently works professionally in film and theatre and works to develop the arts by holding courses and training on theatre (Pantomime) and film for young people in Timor-Leste.
The Story
My name is Silvano Rodrigues Xavier, a Timorese born in Laga on 18 March 1983. Theater stage has been part of my world and talent since elementary school during Indonesian time. Since then, with my little knowledge on theater, I could perform drama and comedy to animate the rural community where I lived. This talent has motivated me to dedicate my life to theater as part of my responsibility and career to contribute to the development of theater in Timor-Leste through sharing experiences and teaching theater to young people and children. After Timor-Leste gained its independence, I engaged in the film world through serial drama, comedy and short movies. I took the opportunity to engage in film and theater at a time where it was not really accessible to the people in Timor-Leste. In addition to my experiences in film and theater, I went to study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and took up courses in photography, as well as film editing and directing. During my studies in Yogyakarta, I initiated a bicycle tour from Jogja to Timor-Leste through Surabaya and Kupang in 2010. The objective of this tour was to create peace among students of Timor-Leste and Indonesia and to show that Timor-Leste youth also CAN use sport for peace. After my studies, I received a scholarship from the Indonesian embassy to study “pantomime” art in the Indonesia Art Institute. With some years of experience, I started a theater group named TERTIL (Theater Timor-Leste) and Leste Art Film for Film Production House. Through these two groups, I created a space for art creativity for the young people. To gather young Timorese who are interested in dramatic arts, I facilitate practical training and theory, imaginative arts, vocal, improvisation, history writing and artistic décor. It is also to give the opportunity for everyone to access the art theater and increase their acting ability, ideas for literature works and later new emergent talents for the country. On the film side, I facilitate training on operation of film camera, and becoming actors, editors, directors, lighting/sound men, make-up artists, and film producers as well as production of documentary film, magazine, TV and feature programs. On pantomime, I always perform by animating others to make the audience laugh. My philosophy is that Timor-Leste needs laughter, when someone laughs, he/she feels happy and forgets about violence. This is also therapy. These three activities are a part of my social business initiative to help youth discover and improve their artistic talents. This in turn will help them find opportunities to play in the public, receive contracts as a source of income.
So far, there are 10 (F:4, M:6) young people involved in both TERTIL and Leste Art Film, and more than 20 performances done publicly in the country through government and NGO contracts on gender equality, sanitation, good governance, climate change, living in peace and equality, child protection, agriculture and others. Four performances were conducted outside the country, in Australia, Portugal, Brazil and Indonesia respectively. The income generated from these performances was used for basic needs, to pay school fees and support their families. The group also held several performances in town voluntarily with the purpose of entertaining the public and sharing information with the rural community. In addition, I also help prepare, nominate and send four young people to continue their studies at the Indonesia Art Institute in Yogyakarta through the Indonesian Embassy’s scholarship program. This will help develop their creativity and innovative art works. I always believe that the youth is potential actor to change the world.
So far, there are 10 (F:4, M:6) young people involved in both TERTIL and Leste Art Film, and more than 20 performances done publicly in the country through government and NGO contracts on gender equality, sanitation, good governance, climate change, living in peace and equality, child protection, agriculture and others. Four performances were conducted outside the country, in Australia, Portugal, Brazil and Indonesia respectively. The income generated from these performances was used for basic needs, to pay school fees and support their families. The group also held several performances in town voluntarily with the purpose of entertaining the public and sharing information with the rural community. In addition, I also help prepare, nominate and send four young people to continue their studies at the Indonesia Art Institute in Yogyakarta through the Indonesian Embassy’s scholarship program. This will help develop their creativity and innovative art works. I always believe that the youth is potential actor to change the world.