It’s been a long time since I last posted on this blog. I’ve been working hard to process and start to edit some of the material for the latest documentary on Tonga, which focuses on the healer, Emeline Lolohea, the psychiatrist, Dr Mapa Puloka, and my relationship with both. I’ve been really excited to see… Read More
A great TED talk that relates really strongly to the power of comedy in Tonga.
A big thank you to Malia Talakia for organising a twin screening of ‘Fun(d)raising’ and ‘My Lost Kainga’ at UNITEC on the 6th September as part of the inaugural Tongan Language Week. Read press announcement here and here. Learn more about Tongan Language Week here.
A new Tongan feature film received it’s premiere this week in Auckland. See coverage of the film here on Tagata Pasifika.
Public Lecture and Film Showing at USP, 15 Sept 2009 The Public Lecture on Social Filmmaking in Tonga was a great success. The lecture theatre at USP was full. Fun(d)raising was shown half way through the lecture and afterwards many people asked questions and offered their own testimonies of filmmaking. The lecture and film were… Read More
Fun(d)raising will receive its first NZ premier at an informal gathering at the MAU theatre this Friday, a great venue that celebrates Pacific performance and has hosted the Laughing Samoans and a tribute to Epeli Hau’ofa. http://www.mau.co.nz/contact.php I very much thank Hufanga Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina and Albert Refiti for organising this opportunity.
I’m very happy to say that I’m coming back to New Zealand and Tonga next week and staying till mid September. I’ll be looking for venues to show Fun(d)raising as a tribute to Siua Tutone and looking into developing a documentary on the subject of comedy, diabetes and health promotion. Any suggestions welcome. It is… Read More
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Siua Tutone (aka Moala Lahi) who was buried in Taunga last month. For many years he had participated with Tevita Koloamatangi in public comedy concerts, raising much money for churches all over the Kingdom of Tonga. He did so with an amazing dedication,… Read More
Epeli Hau’ofa was a wonderful man. His comedy contained profound insights of not only Tongan and Pacific life but for people worldwide. Let us mourn your passing but also celebrate in your indomitable style, the incredible life you had and the inspiration you were to many. Our sincerest condolences to all in Fiji and the… Read More
