They Call Me the Tattoo Witch

Name: They Call Me the Tattoo Witch
Released: 2024
Duration: 14 min

Lindsay Nyman / United States / 2024 / 14 min

In Hanoi, tattoo artist Tran Ngoc transforms scars into personal works of art, helping her clients reclaim a sense of agency over their bodies. Marks left by cancer, self-harm, or trauma are turned into symbols of resilience and renewal. In Vietnamese society, where tattoos still often carry stigma, she offers a compassionate and empowering space for women to heal and redefine their relationship with their physical selves. Each piece she creates tells a story of pain, courage, and transformation, revealing the profound power of rewriting one’s own story.

Q&A

29.05. / Atrium Tower

Charlotte Ducos

Head of Industry at SWISS FILMS

Graduated from La Femis (France) in distribution, Charlotte worked as a programmer in Paris, a project manager in Hong Kong and was head of development for documentaries and immersive contents, before joining SWISS FILMS in 2022 where she holds now the position of Head of Industry. She founded Loreley Films in 2024 to highlight women directors in documentary cinema of the 20th century and is guest curator of the project Another Story.

Anna Mago

Human Rights Expert / FAIRTRADE Austria

Anna Mago is a social scientist who studied at Aston University and the University of Birmingham. She spent ten years at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights and coordinated the Human Rights Research Centre at the University of Vienna. Since 2019 she has led Campaigns and Engagement at FAIRTRADE Austria, focusing on human rights and environmental protection along global supply chains. She serves on the boards of the Network Social Responsibility and the CLAW Climate Law Initiative.

Vanessa Schlesier

Journalist & Documentary Filmmaker

Vanessa Schlesier is a journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker. She works as a director, author and camerawoman for international media including ARTE, ARD, ZDF and PBS Frontline. Previously she was an investigative reporter for Die WELT and Spiegel TV. Her work takes her to conflict regions such as Afghanistan, Syria and the DRC. She focuses on human rights, migration and the perspectives of women in authoritarian contexts.

Kerstin Wendt

Women in Mobility

Kerstin is one of the three CEOs of the network Women in Mobility with over 15 years of expertise in the mobility and security sector across various public and private institutions. She holds a PhD in High Performance Computing from UAB in Barcelona and is a great networker. Kerstin’s core topics include inclusive transportation solutions and gender-specific mobility challenges.