CELEBRATE PASIFIKA MEDIA RELEASE

2 March 2007

Pollywood celebrates five years of Pacific island short film

Craig Fasi reckons he's got the best job in the world - curating Pacific Island films and moving images. During Celebrate Pasifika in March, Fasi will be showcasing eight Pacific Films around Auckland in the fifth annual Pollywood event.

Pollywood Shorts FIVE07 premieres at the Galatos Theatre tonight (Friday, 2 March) at 7pm and has been a labour of love for the Niuean since his first screening at The Moving Image Centre in 2001.

Craig recalls there was initial scepticism about being able to run an annual event because of the lack of Pacific Island short films. But just like nurturing a new born infant, he says he's extremely proud that Pollywood matured and is now five years old.

"Pollywood Shorts FIVE07 showcases an electric selection of recent films made by our Pacific island people. Had there been no support from organisations like the Moving Image Centre, ongoing submissions from Pacific island writers and directors as well as continued motivation from the community, Pollywood Shorts would never have made it this far," says Fasi.

The screenings will highlight work from Niuean writer Maree A Webster with her film Like Milk - a story inspired by actual events of a woman coming to terms with the colour of her skin - and Brown is the Flavour, a documentary focussing on Pacific people in film and television.

Samoan director, Miki Magasiva's films Uso and Rites of Courage will also be shown. Uso is a comic coming of age story of two very close friends waiting for one important phone call. Rites of Courage shows the dramatic transition of a Pacific Island boy changing into a man during a traditional tattooing ritual.

Established Samoan director Popo Lilo features his short film Tiga e le Iloa. His compelling story of three Samoan boys facing the harsh realities of living in Auckland also screened at the 2003 Sundance film festival in Toronto.

Inspiring, enlightening, entertaining and educational, Fasi says Pacific films are emerging with a definite unique flavour.

"When we first started it was hard to source films produced by Pacific people but now there's a lot more to choose from," says Fasi. "We want to help celebrate ethnic diversity and encourage Pacific Island people to embrace their culture. What I love about Pollywood is that we're taking the films to the community."

The screenings will be interactive with a range of directors available for a brief question and answer session with the audience afterwards.

Pollywood is presented by the Moving Image Centre with major funding from Creative New Zealand and the ASB Community Trust.

Film information

Like Milk by Maree A Webster 8.5min 2006 Drama The milk bath in the story was inspired by an actual event and is based on a woman's struggle to find her place in life. She finds she cannot move on until she finally accepts the colour of her skin.

A Samoan Tale by Sio Tusa Fa'aaefili 11.5min 2006 Romance A young Samoan boy enjoys his chores and duties before a long awaited trip overseas. Little does he know that these days on the island will be his last.

Pa by Arnette Arapai & Boswell Haiosi 6min 2006 Reality Roy Head is 82 years old and is of Niuean and English descent. He moved to New Zealand in 1943 and has remained in Parnell, Auckland ever since. He talks candidly of his life here, work, and marriage.

Pa is relevant to our Pacific island people of today in terms of acknowledging and validating our elders. So many youth of today tend to look forward, not concerned with the past, ignoring the fact that the past is all a part of who we are today. Pa is a brief snippet of his story, spoken in Niuean with English subtitles.

Ill Will by David Filoialii 13.5min 2006 Drama Taking the law into his own hands by killing one of the most dangerous organised criminals, Dominic Carter (Joseph Filipo), John Andrews (Gerard Leafa) sits in jail and reflects on the family he once had. Faith Carter (Lynette Nelson), widow of the notorious criminal, writes a letter to John describing her view of the whole disastrous situation. Within this letter lays a shocking truth, the missing pieces of the puzzle that leaves John's mission of vengeance unfinished.

Tiga e le Iloa / Hidden Pain by Popo Lilo 15min 2002 Drama Three Samoan boys face the harsh reality of living in a traditional Samoan family in urban Auckland.

Rites of Courage by Miki Magasiva 4.5min 2005 Drama A young boy goes through the traditional tattoo ritual, entering into adulthood where he will face his greatest fears. We all face the same fears and challenges in an ever-changing world. If we are to survive, we must adapt with this new world, but still hold onto our tradition because ultimately we are all the same, no matter where we come from.

Brown is the flavour by Maree A Webster 6.5min 2006 Doco The documentary is a reflection on the contribution or lack thereof, of Pacific islanders in the film/television industry. It highlights where Pacific islanders are now and what needs to be done in order for more of our stories to be told. Apart from Selina (who is a University lecturer) all the interview subjects are successful in the film/television industry. It is hoped that this documentary will inspire our young PI's to look at this industry not just as actors, but in all areas eg writing, directing, camera, lighting. There is a real need, especially for producers, in this white dominated industry, so that we may be able to tell our own stories our way, not the stereotypical way.

Uso by Miki Magasiva 14.5min 2006 Comedy Comic coming of age story of two very close friends waiting for one important phone call. Our heroes friendship is severely tested as their seemingly simple task escalates far beyond anything they ever imagined. However if this experience does anything, it highlights how close they are as friends, how close they are as brothers.

Screening times

Premiere Friday 2 March - 7pm Galatos @ MIC 17 Galatos St, Newton

Saturday 10 March - 10am-5pm Pasifika Festival, Arts Arena, Western Springs To be screened in conjunction with Pollywood Shorts 1-4

Thursday 15 March - 7pm Te Tuhi - The Mark Gallery 13 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga

Thursday 22 March - 7pm Corbans Estate Art Centre 426 Great Nth Rd, Henderson

Wednesday 28 March - 7pm Auckland Museum

ENDS

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