Press Release – UNITEC

Join us for a special screening of two iconic Tongan films at Unitec on Tuesday, 6 September as part of Tongan Language Week, which runs from 4 – 10 September.Celebrate Tongan Language Week at Unitec

Join us for a special screening of two iconic Tongan films at Unitec on Tuesday, 6 September as part of Tongan Language Week, which runs from 4 – 10 September.

Films: My Lost Kainga / Tinitini (A Tongan Comedy) Date: Tuesday, 6th September, 6:30pm – 9:00pm (guests seated by 6:15pm) Venue: Unitec Film & TV Screening Room, Building 12, Entry 2, Carrington Rd, Unitec Mt Albert, Auckland (see map attached) Entry: $2 entry per person

1. The Secret of Tongan Comedy (known to Tongans as Tinitini).

Filmed by Mike Poltora in Vava’u in 1999 while doing research for his PhD in Social Anthropology on traditional healing for spirit caused conditions.

The documentary is the result of a long collaboration with the comedian, Tinitini (Tevita Koloamatangi) and the people of Vava’u and was originally dedicated to Tinitini’s mother, and Mike’s father, both whom died before the film was completed. It is now also dedicated to Siua Tutone, who died from complications of diabetes.

“The many requests for copies made me realize that here was something special and unique and that understanding Tinitini’s humour would allow a very different perspective on Tonga to emerge, very different to the typical press accounts of Tonga or Tongans” – Mike Poltora

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27QbXDrNq6c

2. My Lost Kainga

My Lost Kainga is the first major film filmed in Tonga and in the Tongan language, with English sub-titles.

The story is about Mia, a young Tongan woman who was born in Tonga, raised in Australia and loses her culture, identity and language because she becomes lost in her western identity. The movie takes you on a serious but humorous journey of Mia finding the one thing that has been missing most from her life, and that is her culture.

Premiered in April 2011, My Lost Kainga, is the first film by independent filmmaker and director, Tony Fuemana. It stars Tongan-born actress, Carolanne Makakaufaki. They will both be pesent at the special screening.

trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTZEJLRYw60 poster attached…

Limited seating so arrive early!

ENDS/

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