Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 1

It's a big ol' yes for "Samoan Silk" on American Idol! Carrie can't BELIEVE Isaiah Misailegalu is only 17 after his stunningly smooth cover of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You." Isaiah says the purpose of his Samoan culture is to spread love, and everyone in America is feeling some after his IDOL audition!

Bailey Poching, a young Samoan and Māori actor, is making waves in the entertainment industry with his role in the groundbreaking Netflix series North of North.

The show, set in the Canadian Arctic, offers a fresh perspective on indigenous storytelling, and Poching’s involvement is a celebration of the importance of representation and the power of diverse voices in film and television.

Poching's journey to landing the role in North of North was swift and unexpected, a whirlwind that saw him auditioning on Monday and flying out to Canada by Friday.

"It came up like any other role—I got an email about an audition and I sent in a tape," he recalls. "The unusual thing about the process was actually how quickly it all came together—I auditioned on a Monday and by Friday I was on a plane to Canada, en route to Nunavut, which is a territory in the Canadian Arctic."

The rapid turn of events was life-changing for Poching, who soon found himself living out his dream in the remote and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of Nunavut.…more

From the moment the excited chatter filled the theatre’s foyer, it was clear that anticipation was high. Mā, directed and performed by Jonjon Tolovae, with a beautifully complementary performance by Nikeidrian Lologa-Peters and accompanied by Flo Akauola on guitar, unfolds as a deeply personal tribute to the enduring love of a mother.

Before the lights even dim and the show begins, ‘Mum’ by Prince Tui Teka plays on the overhead speakers, gently foreshadowing the narrative to come. As the lights dimmed and the performance began, the energy in the room shifted from excited chatter to focused, heartfelt silence. This transition immediately set the stage for a performance that promised both intimacy and a strong cultural connection, Samoan dialogue and song is interwoven throughout the show, bringing a cultural intimacy known well by the Pasifika communities in Tamaki Makaurau.

Throughout Mā, intimate recordings of conversations between Jonjon and her mother Sevai lend a heartfelt authenticity, transforming the stage into a space of familial dialogue.…more

There is something about a film like Tinā that lingers long after the credits are done rolling. Perhaps it's the raw, emotional storytelling. Perhaps it captures the quiet but insurmountable strength of a mother's love. Or maybe, just maybe, it's Anapela Polataivao, the driving force behind the film whose performance feels less acting and more lived experience.

But according to her, she isn't looking for all this recognition. She is about hard work, storytelling, and mainly making sure that the next wave of Pasifika artists has the tools and opportunities to take up space in an industry that hasn't always made room for them.

Behind-the-Scenes to Center Stage

When Anapela first got involved with Tinā, she had no plans on being the lead. Actually, she just wanted to help behind the camera. "My want was really just to be on the ground with the team, working from behind the scenes," she says.…more

Our stories are more important than ever before to present indigenous perspectives to the world, challenge colonisation, connect our Oceanic conversations, and impact change.   

From the beautiful personal stories of mahu, faafafine in Tahiti to the murder of ‘witches’ in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and the powerful truths of Aborigine history - the FIFO documentary festival in Tahiti has brought high impact narratives of indigenous people to screen. 

This year brought the active talanoa, tears and triumphs of indigenous stories together for a celebration of documentary and short film making in the region. 

Allan Clarke, the first nations director of ‘The Dark Emu Story’ which won the Grand Jury Prize, speaks of how vitally important it is expose the truths of our histories from the often untold perspectives of indigenous people: 

‘The Dark Emu’ speaks to the fragility that a lot of nations have been built on, because many have been built on a myth, and there are a lot of people in these countries who are terrified to say ‘open that door and re-examine the past’ and…more

When Heavyweight with Dave Letele: Tipping the Scales premieres this Thursday on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+, audiences can expect more than just hard-hitting stories, they’ll see heart and authenticity.

At its core, Heavyweight with Dave Letele is about sharing stories with heart, depth, and authenticity. The latest chapter continues to spotlight voices often unheard, offering fresh perspectives on critical issues.

“I feel grateful to be part of a team amplifying Pasifika and Māori voices on screen and behind the scenes,” says Eileen Lee, Heavyweight’s co-producer. “Dave isn’t a journalist, and that’s exactly why he's perfect for leading these conversations. He creates a space where people feel comfortable sharing their stories authentically.”

Lee joined the Heavyweight team in 2023 as a Researcher and Production Manager. Her dedication and storytelling instincts quickly earned her a producer role for the second and third instalments. For Eileen, Heavyweight is  a platform to explore critical issues, from substance abuse and gang culture to obesity, through a lens grounded in lived experience.…more

Star of 'The Night Agent', Tongan actor Luciane Buchanan, sits down with Coco Correspondent (and her cousin!!) Josephina Folau for an inside scoop on the new season ahead and where we find Luciane's character as the action heats up in Season 2.

She opens up about her collaboration with Vea Mafile'o 'Lea Tupu'anga / Mother Tongue' premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, what it's like being dubbed the 'Zendaya from Temu' 

The Night Agent Season 2 streams on Netflix from Jan 23, 2025 ⏯️

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Interviewer - Josephina 'Boopc' Folau

In a high-profile lawsuit filed in a California federal court, animator Buck Woodall has accused Disney of stealing his ideas for their Moana franchise. Seeking $10 billion in damages, Woodall claims that the Moana storyline and visuals were lifted from his animated project Bucky, a story set in an ancient Polynesian village that he says he worked on for 17 years.

The case has sparked debates not only about intellectual property but also about cultural storytelling and the responsibilities of creators working with Indigenous narratives.

The Lawsuit: Woodall vs. Disney

According to the lawsuit, Woodall alleges that Disney’s Moana—including its forthcoming sequel—borrowed heavily from his copyrighted screenplay and trailer for Bucky, originally registered in 2004 and updated in 2014. The plot of Bucky, as described by Woodall, follows teenagers in a Polynesian village who embark on a quest to protect their homeland, a premise he believes strongly resembles Moana.

The complaint further alleges that Woodall’s former colleague, Michael Marchick, shared his materials with Disney, leading to their alleged appropriation.…more

In Fiji, the arrival of the New Year is marked by a unique celebration known as Na Vakatawase, which translates to "The Division" or "The Separation."

This name symbolizes the division of the old year from the new, a ritual to both honor the year that has passed and rejoice in the possibilities of the year to come. As the clock strikes twelve, families gather to reflect on the year that has passed and to give thanks for the blessings they've received. Once the church service is over, the celebrations take a lively turn with the tradition of Veisui and Vakamamaca, both of which are closely linked to the idea of cleansing and renewal.

Veisui (meaning 'to splash water') involves splashing water on friends, family, and even strangers. This practice is believed to wash away the sins or misdeeds of the past year, symbolizing a fresh start and the cleansing of the soul. It's a playful and joyful act, often done with much laughter and camaraderie.

Vakamamaca (meaning 'to dry') is the follow-up to Veisui.…more

Content Creator Uce Gang recently realised one of his biggest dreams when he met his idol Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson