No. 2

A different culture than mine, this was an eye-opener. Tradition counts, feelings do, death is a departing and part and parcel of everything. And so everything turns into a big celebration and tying together feast including pig, trees, foreigners, music and naturally mishaps and power struggles. Features the epic "Bathe In The River", a very moving song by amazing New Zealand musician Hollie Smith and the Mt Raskill local people choir. This film forms an important link in New Zealand film lineage as it is one that portrays a very important happening in an 'island' family living in Auckland's 'wild' west suburbs. We get to experience a largely different and unknown culture right in the middle of a 'normal' suburb. This is Auckland, the city with the world's largest Polynesian population.

I've seen recent reviews of lacking a firm storyline - however I beg to differ. I really liked this film because it was so simplistic to understand, but yet portraying strong themes of a foreign/traditional family living in New Zealand. Additionally, the family as depicted in the film can be seen as being dysfunctional, this factor can reinforce our understanding of the film if one has been exposed to such kind of a family. Anyhow, I must praise the performances of the actors/actresses and in particular Ruby Dee - for instance, when I first viewed the film I though the Dee was a Fijian actress! It came to great shock when I discovered that she was in fact American! In conclusion, I would like to say that I very much enjoyed this little film, it is funny, touching and passionate. If anyone has the chance to watch this film, then DO IT! It isn't to be missed! Out

This is a great film portraying human interaction and how families interact.

However, for a film that is supposed to portray a Fijian family, what a pity there was only one Fijian (the Priest) in the cast. The others were mainly a reasonably talented group of Maori and other South Pacific Island actors.

Why could the producers not have found Fijian actors to make the film more authentic?

That the film was produced more or less on our own doorstep (and we had not even heard of it before it was seen in "Shorts") and showed our own well-known and familiar locality added additional colour and interest to our viewing. But of course, a film is always "local" to those who live where it is filmed.

This was one of the most feel good movies I've watched in a long time. I wanted to go straight home after I saw it and give all my family big hugs eh. Great story :) Plus it had Rene Naufahu in it who I love - I wish he was starring in more movies. Set in Mount Roskill, in Auckland, you see another side to life in the big city. Such a real portrayal of family life. I thought all the young actors in the movie did a great job - definitely some up and coming talent amongst them. This movie is definitely one to take your Mum or Dad, Nana or Grandpa, Brother or Sister to and be prepared to get emotional. The storyline itself sounds at first like it is going to be a bit bland, but believe me, you'll never be more moved.

A rough gem but a gem nonetheless. Slow going at first, as you wonder what it is with these people. Is there any hope? Has this extended family (apparently) totally lost their way in life? Then as you learn bits of the family history, the high walls and broken bridges separating the family start making sense, and you can see possibilities of reconciliation.

Ruby Dee plays (magnificently) the Polynesian matriarch, living in Mt. Roskill, Auckland NZ, for most her life, who knows what's wrong with her scattered cantankerous family and can see the one path that just might set things right -- a little "tough love", Polynesian style. Even though no one else can see the sense in it, they obediently carry out her demand for a family feast in the backyard, to happen that same evening, at which she will announce her successor. All must attend, even those who never come round.

Preparation for the improbable feast involves everyone, and in the process forces communication that's been avoided for years. But they pull it off, because after all, Mama may have lost her marbles but she is still the matriarch. The result is memorable, and validates her foresight.

The film is also, by the way, a great glimpse of suburban New Zealand life, Samoan (or Tongan, not sure) style. See it just for that, and enjoy the story too.