Pasifika Representation at Its Best

Jotham Tesese (Samoa, He/Him)


Being in my third year of Film studies, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for Pasifika representation on screen. These films and TV shows reflect my experiences growing up Samoan in NZ.  Contains spoilers!

The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003)

Ok, but do you search the horizon every day? I’ll always remember when my family gathered to watch this film when it came on Māori Television. This film will always be important for me because it was the first time I saw people that looked like me onscreen. Before Tama decides to leave the village that shunned him for bringing misfortune to their lives, he makes a promise to his friend to return to care for her. Tama meets the great Johnny Lingo and eventually makes his return to the island he grew up on. This film is full of heart-warming moments and touches on the importance of work ethic, love, and keeping one’s promises. For those who watch Korean Dramas (including those who watch it secretly), I recommend watching this for the ‘childhood-friends to lovers’ plot line and THAT ending. Even if you don’t watch K Dramas, I still recommend this film!

No. 2 (2006) 

When I watched this film as a kid,  I was so lost. I didn’t understand why anyone would want to make a film about a family function in Auckland. Rewatching it as an adult, I now realise the film is a hidden gem. When Nanna Maria calls for her grandchildren to throw a big feast in her backyard, chaos ensues as the family’s dysfunction and tensions between cousins begin to reveal itself. Despite the chaotic start, the family manages to throw the party their Nanna wanted, and she makes the important announcement of naming her heir. The feast in the film reminds me of the family functions we would have at my cousins’ house. This film is important because it reflects the importance of family within our Pasifika community. Not only does the film depict recognisable family dynamics, but it emphasises the importance of working together and dealing with issues that may divide our families. If you like family portrait films or you live for the drama, you should try to find a copy of this film so you can watch it.

Fresh TV: Season 4 Episode 23 Polyfest 2014 Samoa Stage (2014)

Who hasn’t watched Fresh TV? I watched this episode on YouTube back in Year 9 when I was still establishing my own cultural identity. I loved all the performances and the way the students spoke with pride about our Samoan culture. Beulah Koale and The Sola Sisters host this episode of Fresh which follows the performances of the Samoan Stage at Polyfest in Auckland in 2014. This episode includes excerpts of performances, interviews, and a comedy sketch with Aunty Tala. Similar to Polyfest, Palmerston North holds Pasifika Fusion every year. Pasifika Fusion provides a platform for Pasifika excellence in categories such as cultural performance, visual arts, and cinematography. I participated in the cinematography category for several years, which sparked my interest in Film studies and my desire to make films about the everyday stories of  our Pasifika people. This episode of Fresh TV is a reminder of the beauty of Samoan culture. For those who want to see Samoan cultural performances or are wanting some new songs to add to your playlist, I recommend watching this episode.

Three Wise Cousins (2017)

“I wish I had a blue t-shirt.” This comedy film follows NZ-born Samoan Adam who falls in love with someone who likes a ‘real island guy’. To become that guy, Adam takes a trip to Samoa to learn about the way his cousins live. In high school, I watched this and thought, ‘wow, I’m not the only one who feels like a plastic Samoan.’ Now that I’m older, the film’s value for me has shifted towards the representation of life in Samoa. As someone who’s never been to Samoa, it was amazing to see how people climb coconut trees, as well as the process of preparing koko Samoa that’s sold in those polystyrene cups we always see here in NZ . This film is a great reminder to be appreciative of all that our parents have done for us. Adam’s trip to Samoa exposed his entitlement and laziness at home. His transformation at the film’s end shows that it was not necessarily his disconnection from his culture but more so his laziness that was the issue. If you love a good comedy film, I recommend this film. (I would also recommend giving Take Home Pay a watch too).

Loimata, The Sweetest Tears (2020)

You might need some tissues. I first watched this film in FILM 204 (Documentary Histories with Thierry Jutel) and later with my family. Loimata is a beautiful, poignant documentary about Ema Siope leading her family in retracing the past and finding healing together. The family travel together, visiting the various places they lived in, and ending their journey at Loimata in Samoa. The healing the family experiences helped me realise the importance in communication and being able to have these difficult conversations. I’ve recognised that as we are now navigating adulthood, it’s important to have these important conversations surrounding topics considered taboo within our Pacific families to relieve generational traumas. After watching this documentary, I grew to appreciate the love in my family more. The documentary deals with heavy subject matter so I would recommend watching this when you have the capacity to watch it. 

Jumping to the Conclusion

These films and shows have provided the representation I needed to see, lessons I needed to learn as a Samoan living in NZ, and an understanding of what our community can do to better ourselves. Through these representations, I have solidified the value of love within family, the beauty in expressing one’s cultural pride through performance and speech, the importance of not taking advantage of our parents’ sacrifices, and the necessity for communication within our families. It is evident that there is still a huge lack of Pasifika films and shows made by Pasifika people. I want to share my experiences from within the Samoan community and the wider Pacific community through short films. My hope is for more young Pasifika creatives to tell their stories too.