Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 1

The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK) proudly presented PEAK Conversations - a celebration of Pasifika filmmaking, entertainment, and community, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios.

A talanoa with panelists, celebrating the breakthroughs of Pasifika women and reflecting on issues specific to their journeys in the entertainment industry.

The panelists included Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana” and “Mean Girls” actress), Sasha Colby (Winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), and Naomi Scott (Founder of Great Scott Productions) with moderator Dana Ledoux Miller (“Moana 2” and “Thai Cave Rescue” Screenwriter).

“Last night made me feel like I’m truly making my mark here in Hollywood. It’s interesting for me to reflect on the fact that a year ago at this event, I knew less people than I could count on one hand..So much affirmation and love was poured into me by how I feel I naturally show up in the world and it made me feel so seen.…more

Today marks the start of TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA 2024 (NZ Music Month), with AMPLIFYING AOTEAROA | PAOROTIA AOTEAROA the key theme across this year’s event. The month of May will shine a light on those who are the heartbeat of our nation’s music scene, celebrating everyone who helps amplify music from Aotearoa.

This year’s TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA will look a little different, with a fresh sub-theme each week. Week one will see the amplification of people who make lives better through music, followed by week two, amplifying schools’ through education. Week three will amplify artists on the world stage, before week four, with innovation and new ways of doing things amplified. The month will close with week five, amplifying community and our local and independent champions.

There is something for everyone and many events and activities right across Aotearoa.…more

In May, Neil Amituanai (The Brave, Three Wise Cousins), Dominic Ona-Ariki (The Brave, One Lane Bridge, Double Parked) and Beulah Koale (The Brave, Hawaii Five-O, Next Goal Wins) will return to the stage with Massive Theatre Company at Te Pou Theatre co-directed by Scotty Cotter (Mauri Tau, Neke, Shortland Street) and Sam Scott, with their deeply personal and provocative work, I LOVE YOU G.

This show delves into the complexity of friendship, illustrating the constant navigation and negotiation involved in maintaining and evolving these bonds. It explores intricate dance of friendship, where le va and trust intertwine. It portrays the essence of showing up for each other, the resilience required to weather storms together, and the transformative journey towards forging friendships into brotherhood.

Neil, Dom and Beulah (and co-director Scotty) first met more than a decade ago at Massive when they were in the cast of award-winning show The Brave, which toured New Zealand and overseas in 2012 – 2015.

Those early days at Massive solidified the friendship between them and ignited their ongoing love affair with theatre and performing.…more

Auckland Theatre Company is set to ignite Rugby World Cup fever once again in Auckland, this time with a vibrant stage adaptation of the beloved Aotearoa film "Red, White and Brass."

From June 18 - July 6, the ASB Waterfront Theatre will come alive with the energetic tale, led by a group of Tongan superfans, promising audiences an unforgettable experience.

Set in 2011 in Wellington, the now familiar story revolves around Maka (JP Foliaki), a passionate Tongan rugby fan determined to secure tickets for the monumental Tonga versus France Rugby World Cup game.

When faced with the disappointment of missing out on tickets, Maka and his friends come up with a daring plan—to form a Tongan marching brass band for the pre-match entertainment.

But here's the twist: they know nothing about marching, nor do they possess any instruments.…more

The Auckland waterfront was transported to the Islands by the voices of Pasifika opera stars with ‘The O.Gs’ epic opera one off event! 

Spearheaded by Samoan tenor and visionary Siliga Sani Muliaumaseali'i, the first Pasifika to sing professionally with a New Zealand opera company as a teenager, this extraordinary event has been a long-held dream - "The O.G’s" concept is a tribute to the Original Pasifika Opera Stars. The name "O.G" holds various interpretations, including "Opera Giants," "Oceanic GAFA genealogy" in Samoan, and "Original Gangstas."

The O.G's that took center stage are SIliga Sani Muliaumasealii, his older brother celebrated Baritone Eddie Muliamasealii, famous Tongan tenor Ben Makisi, mezzo-soprano Lotte Latukefu, guest soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe and award winning soprano Aivale Cole who told the arts festival:

'The O.G’s represent a homecoming for these iconic artists, offering them a platform to sing their songs and share their stories.…more

The screen sector in Aotearoa has exploded with Pasifika content in the last 10 years - made mostly by Pasifika women!

This years Women In Film & Television NZ Awards saw 6 Moana women finalists across different categories: 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS WINNERS

Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa: Hinterland Woman To Watch Award 2024

Ashlee Fidow: Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award 2024

Ngaire Fuata - Warner Bros. Discovery Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry 2024

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These are a few of the Pasifika women who are making their mark on screens big and small in Aotearoa. These include our tuakana producers and directors who have made stories for Pasifika audiences across digital, film and TV mediums in both drama and factual content.…more

From Security Guard, to a featuring artist. ROM3 has come a long way in his unlikely journey into the music industry. 

Originally from Long Beach, CA, and raised in Lakewood, WA, ROM3 considers Washington his home. Little did he know that his life would take a dramatic turn when he started working as a security guard, eventually leading him to collaborate with none other than NBA Youngboy.

Rome's initial foray into the world of music wasn't intentional. One day, in a lighthearted moment, he jokingly offered to be the American rapper, NBA Youngboy's singer. 

“When I first started working for him, I asked him if he needed a singer but I was just saying it as a joke because I had that thought in me that I’m just his security“ 

Never imagining that this jest would set off a chain of events that would change his life forever. Despite being surrounded by co-workers who hesitated to visit the artist's studio, ROM3 took the initiative to explore NBA Youngboy's creative space and, in doing so, discovered a new passion.…more

Jason Momoa was spotted today filming stunts in Auckland - it's suspected that today's filming was for the new Minecraft film currently in Production.

Credit: Louisa Tipene Opetaia 

In the heart of South Auckland, a new theatrical force is emerging, ready to redefine the narrative of Pasifika performing arts.

Enter ‘Strictly Brown,’ co-founded by Leki Jackson-Bourke and Saale Ilaua. The pair, both former teachers of Marcellin College, decided to ditch their full-time teaching jobs and go on a creative journey to educate, empower, and entertain Pasifika youth through performing arts.

Their debut production, "Pring It On," a parody of the modern classic American cheerleading film "Bring It On," is set against the backdrop of Polyfest, known to be world’s largest Secondary School’s Pasifika Cultural Festival.

The story unfolds at "South Auckland Grammar School," offering a dra-medy exploring identity, cultural clashes, teenage love, and the quest for authenticity.

The founders of Strictly Brown, Leki and Saale, are not new faces in the artistic realm.…more

Tongan Filmmakers Luciane Buchanan and Vea Mafileo have taken Sundance film festival by storm. Where their short film was selected out of an outstanding 17,000 applications.

“Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue,”  follows the journey of a young Tongan speech language therapist. This unique tale unfolds the dynamic between the therapist, fluent in English only, and her client, who exclusively communicates in Tongan.

Written by Luciane Buchanan and Directed by seasoned Documentary Director Vea Mafile’o, the two reflect on what it means as Tongan women in the scripted space at Sundance.

Mafile’o stated “It’s pretty overwhelming and a super exciting space to be in…Previous Polynesian NZFC films that have screened here have been by a handful of Māori and Samoan directors. They really have paved the way for Luciane and I.…more