Aaron Cupples 'Island of the Hungry Ghosts (OST)'

'Island of the Hungry Ghosts' is a hybrid documentary exploring the intersection of nature, humanity, and spirituality on Christmas Island. Millions of migratory crabs move from the jungle to the ocean each year, guided by the full moon, while asylum seekers are detained indefinitely in a hidden high-security facility. Trauma therapist Poh Lin Lee supports these detainees, navigating their suffering and uncertainty. Meanwhile, local islanders perform “hungry ghost” rituals for those who died without burial, offering appeasements to wandering spirits said to haunt the jungle at night.

Aaron Cupples' original score mirrors the island’s contrasts, using bespoke instruments and unconventional recording techniques to create haunting textures. Field recordist Leo Dolgan captured insect choruses, ocean waves, fire, and Buddhist prayers, which blend seamlessly with the music. Cupples envisioned the island as a protagonist, its rhythms expressed through a handmade long-string instrument that produces deep, evolving tones. Inspired by traditional Chinese festival drumming and Buddhist chants, the score remains dark, merging with nature’s intricate soundscape. As the film unfolds, melody emerges, connecting human struggles to the island’s ancient cycles. This album presents the score and field recordings separately, allowing each to reveal the island’s unique and evocative sonic identity.