The first Samoan feature film, The Orator (O Le Tulafale) is a drama shot and set on Upolu in Samoa. It premiered, in competition, at the 68th Venice International Film Festival.
"Saili (Fiaula Sanote), an unassuming villager and taro farmer, lives happily with his beautiful wife Vaaiga and her teenage daughter Litia. Their existence, whilst happy and peaceful; is unconventional. Vaaiga has been banished from her ancestral village for many years. Saili faces serious threats to his plantation as well as his family & has been denied his fathers chiefly title that would offer some protection. Life is further complicated by Litia's blossoming beauty that is attracting the attention of the young men in the village. Matters ultimately come to a head, requiring Saili to speak up, speak out & to defend all that he holds precious." (Official Synopsis)
Polynesia finally gets its moment in the sun with this family drama set in an isolated Samoan village. The Orator provides a cinematic window into contemporary life on the island as well as an overview of more traditional aspects of Samoan culture.
The film is a co-production with New Zealand and some of our most highly respected technicians make strong contributions. Cinematographer Leon Narbey and sound designer Tim Prebble combine to create a setting rich with lush, natural colour and atmospheric touches on the soundtrack. The result is an authentic world with a mythical quality that seems in tune with the palpable emotional content of the story. This is a movie that is more concerned with the importance of the characters’ intimate moments than it is with a fast-moving plot.
Populating the cast is a predominantly untrained collection of locals. Their low key performances fit the mood and universal themes of the film, while a few moments of well-executed comic relief are on hand when things need livening up. Rookie writer/director Tusi Tamasese juggles these technical elements well but it’s the obvious empathy for his characters that is the most pleasing hallmark of his feature length debut.
The Orator won’t be for everyone, as it unfolds at a pace some may find catatonically slow and lacks any eye-catching flash. However, it’s an undoubtedly sincere statement about a unique corner of the world.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
I get the impression though that the director & NZ Film Commission assumed that as long as this was exotic in location/people, had exceptional presentation via good cinematography/musical score, that it would win an Oscar. Where they missed out was in the lack of dialogue & engagement of plot/film characters' to viewers'/Film Judges'. Hence 'A Separation' (Iran) taking the 2012 Foreign language film Oscar and beating 'The orator' @ the 2011 Asia Pacific Screen Award - for the best film. Lessons' to be learned for next time - maybe?
Born in Samoa and relocate in US, one would think, just another Samoan films full of songs and dance and a whole lotta babble, find it that it was in Closed Captions and English, caught between 2 worlds. Being Deaf and Samoan, we can all relate to Saili (main character). It's a great film, beautifully made and I would love for Tusi to cast one from a Deaf point of view, believe me, people are not so kind :( again, the movie in itself will be epic. One of a kind and please make more of the dark stories untold. With Love, Deaf Samoan
I was moved by this film (honestly). It doesn't have any huge hollywood actors or flash cars/ guns/ explosions, but it provides a window into the unique Samoan culture and captures an audience prepared to take a moment to explore their culture and holds the viewer's attention desperately waiting to find out what is going to happen. The performance in the final scenes of the film are exceptional in my opinion. A heart breaking and heart warming film, exploring the Samoan culture and heirachy within village life.
This was sensational and truly inspirational. The Orator moves at no means a fast pace, but it is much in tune with the villagers tones of life, allowing you to feel truly immersed in Samoan culture. It is also the story of outcasts and underdogs, forced to face larger than life issues and over-come fears in order to do right. It's a film where some may walk away feeling down, but if you truly look into the film for what it's worth, you'll walk away feeling a million bucks, just like Fa'afiaula Sagote would have felt like in the film. Truly worth a watch and real insight into a different way of life. A great film on many levels.
I went to see this on opening night last week. Unfortunately there were only a handful of people in the cinema, and it definately deserves a much bigger audience! A heart breaking and heart warming film, exploring the Samoan culture and heirachy within village life. I was taken by surprise, as I did not expect outstanding performances by the all of the cast. My only warning - take some tissues!
Tusi Tamasese’s feature debut is a knockout, a real treat for the eye, the ear and the heart.
Many will be touched and affected, while others may find it a little too languid.
A compelling drama with more to offer than just anthropological interest.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 6th Oct 2011.
Release date: October 6th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
