Coming of age as an Indigenous woman on the South Pacific Islands is a process full of change. Every island may be different but they are connected by a shared history. Everywhere she goes, Vai is someone else, and yet she remains connected to her roots.
Becs Arahanga Amberley Jo Aumua Matasila Freshwater Dianna Fuemana Mīria George ‘Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki Marina Alofagia McCartney Nicole Whippy Sharon Whippy
Sharon Whippy Nicole Whippy ‘Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki Matasila Freshwater Amberley Jo Aumua Mīria George Marina Alofagia McCartney Dianna Fuemana Becs Arahanga
Germany
Berlinale (NATIVe)
USA
South by Southwest Film Festival
New Zealand
AustraliaPG
Australia
Germany
New Zealand
USA
Vai is an anthology film charting the life story of one woman from childhood to old age across a number of South Pacific islands. The film features eight short stories, each charting a different period in the life of the title character and each set on a different island in the region. She certainly gets about a lot. The main draw here is absolutely the locations. Such a beautiful part of the world and its nice to get to see them all in one film. The stories are about ten minutes long each and vary in their quality. They basically constitute a snapshot in this girl's life. Some of them are mundane, while others are a bit more poignant. There's…
On their own, each short is worth watching. Taken together, it’s one of the most moving films of the year.
March Around the World Challenge 25/31: The Pacific Archipelago; Solomon Islands 🇸🇧, Niue 🇳🇺, Tonga 🇹🇴, Fiji 🇫🇯, Samoa 🇼🇸, Cook Islands 🇨🇰
'Vai' which means 'water' is a portmanteau feature created by nine female Pacific filmmakers and filmed across seven countries, including the Solomon Islands, Niue and Tonga. In eight vignettes, the film tells the story of one character from girlhood to grand matriarch.
A truly gem discovery through this challenge from the Pacific archipelago. Profound and marvellous look into ocean culture which reminded me so much of Moana, diverse yet drawn together by undeniable bonds.
It was hard to find this film, I highly recommend it so if you want to watch it let me know I will send you the film!
Now this is what I want from NZ cinema!
Yesterday, my friend and I went to cinema, we planned on seeing one NZ film and Fighting with my Family, but when we went to buy the tickets, the latter was sold out. So we ended up doing a double NZ film today and I'm so thankful we did.
Vai follows eight women, all called Vai, all at different stages of their lives and all from varying parts of the Pacific.
Such a beautiful showcase of Pacific languages, scenery, culture and most importantly eight wahine toa - strong women.
Each of the stories touched me in a different way but unlike Waru - a film from the same production made in…
I was really blown away by this. Each director has such a strong visual point of view which feels tailored to the grooves of their particular story in this tapestry of vignettes while reflecting the wider curiosity of the picture in totality with nature, water, dance, and earth. It’s strikingly verdant and lush as it traipses various locations and moments in a woman’s (or is it women’s?) life. The performances are tender and specific. The narrative and its aesthetic approach are boldly feminist and radical in its constitution.
I was especially in love with the film’s approach to ritual and communion amongst women as its crucial theme. In the last two vignettes the nature of generational/familial inheritance and leaving behind…
i 🗣 love 🗣 pasifika 🗣 women 🗣
A Pacific Islander portmanteau that reaches for both the universality and the uniqueness of women’s stories from this untapped part of the world. My god, somebody give these nine female directors their own movies!
Perspectives Film Festival 2019
!! This was a wonderful film to end off the festival. It was a very happy 4 hours eating loadsa wine and cheese and being surrounded by like minded people aka WKW community. We witnessed a very exciting performance by a Maori/Kiwi group. The film was really quite unique. It’s so interesting to have a glimpse into the lives of pacific women through the lenses of very empowering female directors. It also was a big plus that the production quality was superb.
The Q&A was very interesting, and her message to us was very powerful. We’re not in the age of Hollywood films anymore. I’m very motivated to go out and make a film. I’ve been delaying it for way too long. It’s hard without money but I need to stop using this as an excuse and just CREATE!!!!
incredibly affecting, immersive, thoughtful, strong, and beautiful
I’d watch a feature film based on any one of these beautiful stories.
Next station: Tonga
Fun fact: Tonga is made up of over 170 islands spread across an area of the Pacific Ocean approximately the size of Japan.
Film language: English, Samoan, Maori, Tonga
Where to watch: tubitv.com
– English below –
Ein weiteres Highlight!
Wir bleiben im Pazifik und wechseln zum Inselstaat Tonga. Der Film beleuchtet in acht lose zusammenhängenden Kurzfilmen das Leben der weiblichen Bewohnerinnen Ozeaniens. Über Kindheit, Jugend, Universität, Widerstand gegen Überfischung, alte Rituale, Begleiten der Enkelin oder Namenszeremonie der Großenkelin.
Schon der erste Kurzfilm hat mich direkt emotional berührt. Es fängt harmlos an mit Kindern die spielen. Doch sobald Vai im Haus mit den Erwachsenen spricht setzen sofort die Emotionen ein, denn ein Thema…
Shot in long takes in eight parts by nine women filmmakers from the Pacific Islands, this is an illuminating and poetic take on the ‘spirit of existence’.
Full review: wp.me/pat7iE-ZL
