PACIFIC FEMALE FILM STORIES
2019 is the year of the Brown Female Story in Aotearoa! So many great stories from the sistas of the Moana Nui A Kiwa are exploding on the big screen this year with an unprecedented number of films made by and about Polynesian women.
The critically acclaimed story of the legendary Merata Mita just got picked up by Ava DuVernay's "Array" distribution company. The film made by Maori producer Chelsea Winstanley and Merata's son Heperi Mita opened to rave reviews in Aotearoa before its Sundance premiere in February. Celebrating the life of the first Polynesian woman to direct a film, 'Merata' is an ode to the singular vision of this filmaker, a solo mother of 6 who pursued her dream of filmmaking until the end.
Also on NZ screens this year is the multi director feature film 'Vai' made by Papuan producer Kerry Warkia and featuring the stories of 9 different Pacific directors.…more
WEIGHT LOSS WARRIOR - LOGOVI'I TUPA'I
Singer Logovi'i Tupa'i aka Viiz from Adeaze shares his extraordinary story on his early musician tour life of fast food, partying and addiction at almost 160kg.
A life changing turnaround has seen him drop 60kgs and find happiness in himself. Find out about the new eating patterns and road to fitness that’s made him a new man, along with many other Pacific friends!
For more of our Weight loss Warrior stories click here:
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Credits:
Director & Editor - Sapati Apa
Camera Operators - Fa'anati Mamea & Penina Momoisea
Sound Operator - David Green
Made with the Support of NZOA
Pacific filmmaker has two films at the Berlinale NATIVE film festival
Tongan female director Vea Mafile'o has the amazing feat of having two of her films premiere at the Berlinale Native festival this year.
Alongside a host of other largely female driven films like the multi Pacific director film 'Vai', Mafile'os documentary 'For My Fathers Kingdom' and her short film 'Toa'ipuapuagā Strength in Suffering' about Toa the young girl who hit headlines with her 'stigmata' bleeding, are both in the line up.
For Vea making the first fully funded Pacific documentary film in Aotearoa was an epic feat that is now beginning to pay off as this unique story is launched to the world:
"It's been a long hard emotional journey, over the 3 years of making the film we have faced many challenges, its pushed us to our limits there has been no separation from work and life, literally babies on the edit room floor! But our familys & our people have helped carry the load, this was a true collaboration of family, for trusting us with their truths and the willingness to share with others.…more
Unsung Heroes: Football and the Polynesian Athlete
“When you look at the special players who’ve come from Polynesia and Polynesian backgrounds, they’ve really impacted the game and made it a better game.”
Polynesian athletes are 28 times more likely to play in the NFL. Their culture has had a tremendous impact on the game of football. This documentary looks at the unsung heroes of the game.
KONECS - LET IT BE KNOWN
If you're not familiar with the name Konecs we're sure you'll be familiar with his music. He's the voice behind Tongan jam 'Ofa Mai' & features on the pop/reggae hit 'Chill' by DJ Noiz (see vid below)
The 24 year old Tongan grew up in Mangere, South Auckland and started making music at the age of 16. He was discovered by Biordi Group Music late last year in October, signed to their label and now resides in Sydney to focus on his music & future.
The mini doco above shows a bit of his journey with the move over to Sydney & how he overcame addiction & dealt with cyber bullying after a negative Facebook post went viral.
Since moving he's been focused on not only his music but his mental & physical health.
His new single STRONGER talks about what he went through and how he came out of his dark place & drops this Friday the 18th.
Follow Konecs on -
Instagram: @konecsmusic
Facebook: @konecs
Soundcloud: @konecs
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - TIANNA TUAMOHELOA
TIANNA TUAMOHELOA
Miss Nevada USA 2019
Samoan / Tongan / African-American / Japanese / Irish
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I grew up a Military brat where both of my parents were in the United States Army. I was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, moved around to about 4 states from the South to the West Coast and finally my parents retired to Las Vegas, Nevada where we have lived for the last 14 years. Though my 3 brothers and I grew up in the mainland, we were always reminded of where we truly come from. My parents Simi, Jr and Salamasina Nomura McMoore Timu Tuamoheloa hail from Illilli, Utulei and Lealoaloa, American Samoa. My father is Samoan/Tongan/African-American and my mother is Samoan/Japanese/Irish.
Being Samoan has taught me the most important value, and that’s respect.…more
NEW GENERATION POLYNESIAN SUPERHERO IS MAKING WAVES AROUND THE WORLD
Guest writer: TVNZ's Te Karere Reporter, Te Rina Kowhai
DC's latest superhero movie 'Aquaman' has smashed NZ's box office record with the highest Boxing Day opening movie of all time. And it’s with no surprise here, with Aotearoa being the Polynesian hub in the world. However the film is not only making waves in Aotearoa but the world is also embracing the first-ever Polynesian superhero.
Forbes listing that the movie has topped US $1 billion worldwide, becoming Warner Bros. biggest global grosser to date.
And we can thank leading man, Hawai’i born actor Jason Momoa, for taking up the role and embodying the DC character, Arthur Curry a.k.a Aquaman whose original adaptation is a blonde haired, fair, white-skinned Caucasian man. Now portrayed as a brown skinned 6 ft 4, the half breed, part Atlantean and part human is now also of Polynesian descent.…more
Meet Visesia Fakatoufifita who plays 'ANNIE'
Meet 11 year old Tongan actress/singer Visesia Fakatoufifita who plays the lead role of Annie in the 5th Avenue Theatre production (Seattle, USA) of "ANNIE"
Her parents let her try out for Annie because they thought it would be good for her to be told "No" early in her acting career. Boy, did that plan backfire!
JASON MOMOA - HOME IN HAWAI'I
Jason goes home to Hawai'i and he takes us behind the scenes with him on the last stop of his Aquaman World Tour where he gives back to the Boys & Girls club in Nanakuli and has a special screening for his friends & family.
Safe travel tips - Pacific Islands edition
Visiting friends or family in the Pacific Islands this holidays? Don't ruin the reunion by getting sick!
Your body's resistance changes when you move or leave your country of origin.
This means travellers visiting friends and relatives in the Pacific Islands should be extra careful when heading back. When you return home to the islands for a holiday, you may be more at risk of certain illnesses than you were in the past.
Prevention is best when it comes to infectious diseases.
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Here are some safe travel tips:
Mosquitos that commonly spread dengue fever bite in the day. Make sure you use insect repellant containing DEET*
Water should be bottled or boiled even for brushing teeth.
Wash fruit in safe water and remember peeled fruit is best.
Freshly cooked hot food is best. Be aware of raw seafood as this can be unsafe to eat.
Get vaccinated. Find out from your doctor what you might need before your trip.
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Information above from the Auckland Public Health Service
For more information search www.safetravel.govt.nz/health-and-travel