VAI

A film about female empowerment that spans the breadth of the Pacific, telling the story of one woman’s life in eight separate moments from the perspective of eight different pacific island cultures.

Vignettes - In Order of Appearance

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FIJI:

In a modest dwelling in Fiji a 7-year-old girl with boundless energy tries to understand why she has to say goodbye to her home country and extended family, as her mother prepares her to leave Fiji.

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TONGA:

Vai, now 13, dreams of going to NZ to sing but her day-to-day chore of filling up water bottles from the neighbourhood water tanks makes her feel as though she will never leave Tonga.

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SOLOMON ISLANDS:

While fishing from a small canoe off the coast of the Solomon Islands, 16-year-old Vae argues with her mother about the correct way to bait the fishing hook.

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NZ BORN SAMOAN:

Having worked hard to get into university, 21-year-old Vai is now a top student and one of only two pacific islanders in her class but with her attendance waning due to pressures at home, she finds it difficult to get support from her tutor and struggles to find her voice in a system that isn’t built for her.

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KUKI AIRANI (COOK ISLANDS):

Amidst apathy, fear and the trappings of colonialism Vai makes a stand for change on her island of Rarotonga, finding her voice as an activist.

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SAMOA:

Now in her 40s, Vai returns to Samoa to perform for an important event but, having been away for many years, Vai struggles with her connection to the performance.

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NIUE:

Vai, now 64, tries to convince her granddaughter Moana, that leaving the island of Niue will give her an equal start in life.

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ĀOTEAROA:

An elderly Vai, 80 years old, gathers with her whānau (family) by the river’s edge to perform a naming ceremony for her great granddaughter, Vai.

Genre: Drama (Feature)

Released February 2019

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 (Colour)

Language: Fijian, Tongan, Roviana (Solomon Islands), Samoan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, English and Māori (NZ)

(With English subtitles)

Duration: 90:00

Samoan Vignette Writer / Director: Marina Alofagia McCartney

Producers: Kerry Warkia & Kiel McNaughton

Director of Photography: Drew Sturge

Editor: Dione Chard

Production Designer: Riria Lee

Costume Design: Lindah Lepou

Music: Lauren King

Casting Director: Christina Asher

Made in association with: 

The New Zealand Film Commission, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and The Film Collaborative

Featuring: 

Mereani Tuimatanisiga

‘Ar-Ramadi Longopoa

Betsy Luitolo

Agnes Pele

Evotia-Rose Araiti

Fiona Collins

Maliaga Erick

Hinetu Dell

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