Story telling is one of the great enchantments of life. This series presents myths and legends told over the centuries by people of the Pacific islands. The Tales include modern myths and cross over from an ancient world to the recent past. An anthology of thirty five tales and legends – ships lost at sea, exotic customs, mystery and adventure, historical and contemporary characters, rare animals. Tales from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu. (1991–93, 13 x 30 mins)
A collection of 45 unique stories and myths that celebrate the diversity of the people of the Pacific and South East Asia. The stories reflect the power of the living traditional world. In settings of exceptional beauty, we have glimpses of the wisdom and the meaning of lives that are lived close to their environment and in harmony with nature. Tales from Northern Territories Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Marquesas islands, Vanuatu. (1995–97, 13 x 30 mins)
30th US International Film & Video Festival: Silver Screen Award: Wildlife - “Island of Dragons”; Silver Screen Award: Arts – “Mermaids of Maningrida” “Spirits of the Rock” and “Chorus of Monkeys”. Certificate for Creative Excellence: Documentary – “First Rites” and “Kabunare's Story”. 45th Columbus USA Film & Video Festival: Honourable Mention “Gallery of the Dead”, “Kabunare's Story” and “Lords of the Forest”.
A series of ten episodes on the social climate and circumstances of ten South Pacific nations; Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nuie, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa. Tristram and Wilson Executive Producers. (1987, 10 x 30 mins)
Samoa is acknowledged as the original home of Polynesia. SAMOANA includes events which describe Samoa's 3000 years of settlement. Having left SE Asia two centuries before, these seafaring people developed a culture which embraced new aspects as they adapted to a different environment. Contact with other Pacific islands had a major effect on their history but it was the expansion of European influence in the Pacific in the last two centuries that made the greatest impact - explorers, whalers, traders and missionaries. SAMOANA takes the mind on a journey from the past to the present. A co-production with the Government of Samoa. (2000/2001, 52 mins) NEW!The SAMOANA DVD now contains BOTH language versions: Samoan and English. Cost is AU$36.00 plus GST and postage.
REQUIEM FOR A POET
"I love this land and I have chosen it to be my home
while I live and my grave after I am dead.
And I love the people and have chosen them to be
my people to live and die with".
The speaker was the writer and poet, Robert Louis Stevenson and the people he loved were the Samoans. He learned their language and became a wise and caring friend to the Samoans. He asked for nothing from them. They grew to love him and called him "Tusitala, the Teller of Tales". Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) A film to commemorate the centenary of his death. (1994, 14 mins)
Invited to Edinburgh Festival RLS Centenary Exhibition Edinburgh National Gallery
O SAMOA
A vivid portrait of Samoa, its landscape, culture and customs, both traditional and contemporary - a film without words. Only natural sounds and music. As a result of winning several film awards, the film has been widely shown internationally. It was described by the panel of judges at Berlin Prix ITB as a film which “towered above the others by allowing pictures to speak instead of words, magically drawing the viewer toward the people of Samoa”. (1998, 16 mins)
Prix ITB BERLIN 1999: Best Film “Gold Kompass”; Inforfilm International Award XXIII International Tourism Festival Milan Italy: Best Film “Premio Miglior Film”
THE HEART OF POLYNESIA
A fact film about Samoa specifically produced for the International Travel Trade. (1998)
SAMOA I SISIFO
Western Samoa was the first independent nation in the South Pacific. The film looks at its aspirations, history, traditions and culture - and celebrates its 10th Anniversary of Independence. Commissioned by Government of Western Samoa. (1972)
THE SOUTH PACIFIC - ISLANDS OF DREAMS
Two versions of a promotional film featuring 12 countries of the South Pacific: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Nuie, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa. Produced for the European Community and the Tourism Council of the South Pacific. French, Italian Japanese, German, Spanish versions. (12 mins and 5 mins)
AGGIE GREY'S SAMOA
Aggie Grey's Hotel has become a legend in the South Pacific. Founded by Aggie Grey in 1933, it first became a club for American servicemen during WWII. It has grown much larger but retains its family character. (2002)
WESTERN SAMOA DIARY
A composite programme of prominent events and international figures who passed through Western Samoa in the early seventies. (1973)
THE BEST KEPT SECRET
In the heart of Polynesia lies its best kept secret, Western Samoa. The first film commissioned by the Government of Western Samoa to promote their nascent tourism industry. (1971)
Winner PATA Grand Award
LISTEN TO OUR VOICE
Commissioned by the Roman Catholic Mission of Samoa to record the history of the Mission and the historic first Papal visit to the South Pacific. (1970, 30 mins)
TAKALA-I-GAU
On the island of Gau in Fiji, a new Paramount Chief is being installed. This highly traditional ceremony has not been performed for over one hundred years. Some ceremonies will attract 1000 Fijians over 7 days. On the final day of historic events, a vakavaka on the shoulders of eight warriors will bear the new Chief for the first stage of long journey to the sacred pool of Nagasa, where he will be ceremonially bathed. (1995, 26 mins)
GIFT OF EARTH - FIJI
Raymond Burr features in this Juniper production for the Fiji Visitors Bureau. The film promotes the country with a focus on Fijian culture and its timeless qualities. The script is written and spoken by Fijian writer and poet, Pio Manoa. The film follows the same poetic visual style as Juniper's previous successes in Samoa and Tonga. The programme was broadcast in UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. (1982, 26 mins)
I AM FIJIAN
“I am Fijian..”, says Amosi. This is unquestionable since Amosi's forefathers were the first to come to these South Pacific islands some three thousand years ago. Vijay also calls himself Fijian. His great grandparents were brought to Fiji from Calcutta as indentured labour for Fiji's sugar plantations eighty years ago. Indigenous Fijians now coexist with people of Chinese, Polynesian and European origin. (1980, 26 mins)
SPIRIT OF FIJI
A cultural film promoting Fiji and commissioned by Fiji Visitors Bureau. Narration written and spoken by Pio Manoa, Lecturer in English, School of Humanities, University of the South Pacific. (1995, 18 mins)
International Festival of Film and Video on Tourism, Czech Republic: Green Globe for best film dealing with ecological awareness. 45th Columbus USA International Film & Video Festival: Honourable Mention. US International Film/Video Festival: Silver Screen Award
WEDDING IN NUKU'ALOFA
Tonga is the last remaining Polynesian Kingdom in the South Pacific and when the eldest grand-daughter of Their Majesties King Taufa'ahu Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho marries, it is a very important occasion. Wedding in Nuklu'alofa captures the dazzling colour and pageantry of traditional ceremonies and celebrations over a period of ten days. Distinguished guests from Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa, Hawaii and the Cook Islands demonstrate the ancestral blood ties and shared kinship of their past history. In a rapidly changing world, it is impossible to know when these customs may be seen again. (2003, 2 x 30 mins)
TONGA ROYAL
The first film commissioned by the Government of Tonga to promote their early tourism industry. Cinema release by United Artists. ITV national broadcast UK. (1974)
