15 Matches Found
A film for the senses as much as the mind, this lyrical documentary records the last years of Professor Futa Helu and his miraculous ‘Atenisi Institute, an unconventional and independent Oceanic school. Ancient Greek philosophy, opera and Tongan culture combine in this portrait of a teacher, navigating his people through crisis in a small but hearty island kingdom.
Eight connecting moments of seemingly different lives thread together Vai’s journey of empowerment through culture over her lifetime. Beautifully shot over seven Pacific countries, and played by a different indigenous actress in each place, Vai links together a story of family, culture, and at times, isolation. A delicate exploration into the meaning of growth, adaptation, and most notably, a connection to water and home.
Tonga is now home to hundreds of deportees — permanent residents of New Zealand, Australia or the United States who committed serious crimes and did jailtime, then were put on a plane to start a new life in an unfamiliar culture. The lucky ones have family land, or a place to stay. But many start from scratch and without institutional support, old bad habits can kick in.
Set in the Kingdom of Tonga (South Pacific Islands), this film looks at the influence and encroachment of western culture as shown in the relationship of a young man and his traditional father.
“In an alternate world where queer indigeneity was never erased/lost, we follow the daily lives of two leiti’s whose sovereignty has come into its own in a fast changing, modern world. Set to the backdrop of an alternate Tonga untouched by western influence and with a wealth of mineral resources (particularly, crystals), you are presented with a subtle yet strikingly different modern world. The ingenuity of their adaptations to, and their cultural flourishes in their diaspora experience is captured in the mundanity of these two leiti’s lives in Aotearoa.” - Sione Monu , Artists Statement.
Based on the traditional story of Nyami Nyami, the snake god of the waters of the Zambesi. An evil divinity emerges from the river and the population of a village plagued by drought remain spellbound by it. The women who had intercourse with him will give birth to demonic eggs. The goddess Nyami Nyami, who has the power to save her people, sends a messenger to the village to fight the demon.
On the South Pacific Island group of Vava’u, the traditional healer Emeline Lolohea treats people affected by spirits. One day away by ferry, the only Tongan Psychiatrist Dr Mapa Puloka has established a public psychiatry well known across the region. Although the two healers have never met in person, this film creates a dialogue between them on the nature of mental illness and spiritual affliction - and the shared obstacles they face in providing their services to the people in need. Their commitment and transformative communication offers challenges and opportunities to help address the growing global mental health crisis.
Based on the Legend of, `Aho`eitu from the Pacific Island of Tonga, 'Aho'eitu leaves his mother to find his father Tagaloa in the heavens. On his quest he finds out that he also has brothers, but will 'Aho'eitu be accepted by them and who will become heir as the first King, the first Tu'i Tonga!
The legend of Kava Tonga has come to life. In a harrowing story of love, loyalty and sacrifice, this short film gives you an insight into the importance of Kava to the Tongan culture.
Funerals are of enormous cultural significance in the Kingdom of Tonga. In contrast with the taboos regarding death in Western society, death in the Kingdom of Tonga follows a highly ritualized grieving process. The last journey is accompanied by joyous song, hair cutting, gift giving, changing of the garb, lovingly made mats and tapa and social protocol. This documentary video provides an ethnographic window into the Tongan funeral ceremonies and explains the process through which the people elevate their deceased to the role of ancestor.
Charlotte’s Tongan roots come to surface. In order to embrace her identity, Charlotte must confront her mother’s secrets – with or without her blessing.
'Ofeina'o Lesieli "I Love You, Lesieli" is a documentary short film set in the capital city of Nuku'alofa which takes place in the Kingdom of Tonga - A tropical country situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This idyllic, tropical country is often coined ‘The Friendly Islands’ due to the hospitality and charm of its residents. Here we spend a day in the life of Lesieli, a bright and loveable young Tongan woman living with Down Syndrome. After having discovered a passion for table tennis, Lesielis’ life has become blessed in new and exciting ways. Along the way, we meet Lesielis’ committed mother Alisi and her caring table tennis coach Simote. Both of these beautiful souls play essential roles in Lesielis’ world. Things begin to get complicated when Alisi reveals the heart of the story. Their first-hand experience with the locals' belief in magic and how this notion negatively impacts people living with disabilities, both in Tongan society and other pacific islands.
Experience the story of the Polynesian composer knighted by Pope John Paul II in a feature length documentary that follows his life, music and the peoples impacted along the way.
Tapa cloth, or ngatu as it is called in Tonga, is cloth made from the bark of the mulberry tree. The inner bark is beaten into fine sheets and painted using traditional designs. After centuries of use, ngatu has literally become the fabric of Tongan society. In Tonga and throughout much of Polynesia, bark cloth has deep symbolic and ceremonial use. At birth, babies are swaddled in it. At marriage, newlyweds line their wedding bed, and at death, the departed are buried wrapped in it. This documentary investigates the highly collaborative process of making ngatu and the organizations of women who carry on with the tradition. While the process continues to be passed on from generation to generation, there are signs of change as a cash economy begins to infiltrate Tongan life. Young people show less interest in such labor intensive endeavor in the face of the older generation's belief that this tradition will never die.
Based on a true story, a Tongan boy has to make a decision whether to stay on the island in poverty or stow away in a ship and disappoint his family.