'Three Wise Cousins' combines culture and comedy on big screen
A grassroots comedy about what it takes for a New Zealand-born Samoan to transform into a 'real island guy' is for some a nostalgic trip back to the islands, and for others a first time glimpse into true Samoan culture on the big screen.
Transcript
A grassroots comedy about what it takes for a New Zealand-born Samoan to transform into a 'real island guy' is for some a nostalgic trip back to the islands, and for others a first time glimpse into true Samoan culture on the big screen.
The self-funded film 'Three Wise Cousins' follows Adam, a 'fia-palagi' who turns to his two cousins in Samoa to teach him the ways of the islands, including how to climb a coconut tree and clear the land with a machete, in the hope of impressing a girl.
Leilani Momoisea talked to the cast on the night of the 'Three Wise Cousins' world premiere at Auckland's Civic Theatre.
Good evening everyone, hello, and welcome to the first ever Pacific Island event to start on time. That's what I would have said seven minutes ago...
The movie began on island time, followed by the audience overdosing on island humour for 90 minutes. The producer, writer and director for Three Wise Cousins, Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, says it's the movie of a thousand and one quotes. He says it's a true grassroots film, made by friends and family, which sets out to make people laugh, but also learn.
STALLONE VAIAGOA-IOASA: I think people will definitely leave with a bit more wisdom, I think this film will be quite eye opening for a lot of people. They'll find that amongst the laughter there's just a lot more, I guess perspective. They'll definitely walk away with perspective.
Neil Amituanai, who plays the bumbling New Zealand-born Adam, tries and often fails at everyday Samoan tasks in the movie - like learning how to husk a coconut, sweeping leaves with a salu, preparing an umu and even selling koko at the markets. He says much of the struggles he portrays in the movie, is real.
NEIL AMITUANAI: In Samoa, like that lifestyle is so different. It was like a huge like culture shock, adapting to the weather, just how they cook and how they live, it's a whole lifestyle that you have to learn. Yeah, it wasn't acting, it was my first time there, first time doing everything.
Fesui Viliamu and Vito Vito, who had already found online fame from their stint on Fresh TV's Mr Lavalava series, play the "wise cousins" from Samoa.
FESUI VILIAMU AND VITO VITO: People should watch this movie because we're telling stories about our Polynesian communities, so you better watch it, you might relate that one watch. People should watch it because it's funny.
Gloria Ofa Blake plays Adam's love interest, Mary, and says she hopes people support the movie to show the Pacific Island community that they have a place in the film industry.
GLORIA OFA BLAKE: To come and just see and support and get a inside look into just what the culture is about. I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't appreciate a good laugh, and that's what Pacific people are about. We know how to laugh, we know how to eat, we know how to cook and just have a good time all round.
Audience members afterwards raved about how much they loved the film.
I've never been to the islands, but the movie itself took me on a ride, a cultural ride, just watching it humbled me. It felt like I had been through Adam. It took me back in the islands, actually. It was amazing just to see all the scenery, especially preparing all the umu. The lifestyle, what we used to do, waking up in the morning, that was fantastic. I was very chuffed to see that.
'Three Wise Cousins is due for general release towards the end of January.
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