Samoa exposed
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Samoan movie maker Tusi Tamasese’s movie The Orator opens nationwide next week
THE Berhampore resident has just completed his first full length movie, The Orator, which opens in New Zealand cinemas October 6. The movie premiered at this year’s Venice International Film Festival, only the sixth New Zealand movie ever to do so. But it hasn’t always been so good for Tamasese. He’s had to juggle his movie aspirations with the responsibilities of raising a family of three young children.
Tamasese is Samoan born and raised and didn’t come to New Zealand until he was 18. His mother wanted him to visit family here and when he came in 1996 he had intended to return to Samoa. Instead he ended up studying film and screen and political science at Waikato University.
“Growing up in Samoa I always loved the movies,” Tamasese says. “I loved watching the Hollywood stuff, and foreign movies. I was fascinated with the way stories are told on screen. When I found there was a course for film here I jumped at the chance.”
After his graduation Tamasese moved with his wife and kids to Wellington. He couldn’t find a job so sharpened up his skills at the New Zealand Film School and Victoria University.
After three years at Victoria he worked on some education films but never got the chance to work on the big screen.
“Writing part time and doing late shifts to pay the bills wasn’t easy,” he says.
His big break came with Va Tapuia – Sacred Spaces, a 15 minute short film which premiered at the 2010 NZ International Film Festival and then screened at festivals around the world. Va Tapuia forged his reputation as a new innovative film maker and formed the backbone of the crew which went on to make The Orator.
Tamasese’s says his movie is a contemporary drama about courage, forgiveness and love. Shot entirely in Samoa The Orator tells the story of Saili, a humble man of small stature who lives with his wife and daughter in an isolated traditional village in the islands.
Tamasese says his movie showcases Samoan culture and way of life and tells an underdog story set in an exotic place.
“In this film Samoa is a character. The landscape, people, culture, images, colour, sound and feel of Samoa offer this story a new and unique perspective.”
Filming in Samoa had its challenges. With no film industry there he had to take a New Zealand film crew and equipment. He placed advertisements in Samoan newspapers to find his actors, all villagers and only one of whom had had previous acting experience.
“There’s a freshness and powerful presence on screen when using untrained actors. The reactions and behaviour are very raw and unpredictable. They offer a sense of innocence but also of hidden strength in their eyes and their bodies.”
Tamasese is hoping The Orator will make his name and allow him to make further movies.
“I’m hopeful,” he says, “but meanwhile I think I need to find another job.”
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