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Signatures of the Soul - Tattooing Today

1984 59m Television
  • Documentary
  • Pasifika
  • Arts/Culture

Tattooing — "the world's oldest skin game" — is the subject of this iconic documentary. Writer/director Geoff Steven scored a major coup by signing Easy Rider legend Peter Fonda as his presenter. Travelling to Aotearoa, Samoa, Japan and the United States, the doco traces key developments in tattooing, including its importance in the Pacific, prison-inspired styles, and the influence of 1960s counterculture. Legendary tattooists feature (including Americans Ed Hardy and Jack Rudy), while the closing credits parade some eye-opening full body tattoos. Steven writes about making his tattooing documentaries here.

Key Cast & Crew

GS
Graham Smith
Cinematographer
WL
Wayne Laird
Musical Director
PF
Peter Fonda
Presenter
AW
Alf West
Editor

Related images

Yakuza__Yokohama__Japan_Signatures_shoot.jpeg
A group of yakuza in Yokohama a photo taken during the filming of Geoff Steven's 1984 tattooing documentary Signatures of the Soul.
Supplied by Geoff Steven
Signatures_Brochure_cover.jpeg
Poster for Geoff Steven's documentary Signatures of the Soul, featuring American tattoo artist Bill Salmon.
Supplied by Geoff Steven