Australasia

If you’re a Hollywood film fan, you’d probably recognize a few of Australasia’s most famous talent. They’ve produced well known Hollywood directors like George Miller and Taika Waititi and plenty of big name actors like Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, and Chris Hemsworth. However, there’s much more to Australasian films than Hollywood talent. Whilst they’re sometimes hard to find, there’s a lot of great indigenous films such as Vai, The Orator, and the popular Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

Find the best Australasian films below, or click on a country below to go somewhere particular. If you have any recommendations, please get in touch!

Australia, Bougainville, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

1

Tanna (Vanuatu) – Transport Yourself to Another World

Tanna Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Watching Tanna is an experience. It’s not everyday that you can transport yourself to another part of the world and another culture so far from our own. Unless you’ve got a one-way ticket to Vanuatu, this is the closest you’ll get to living in a Kastom tribe in a beautiful island.

Why Watch Tanna?
  • The setting is incredible
  • It’s the first film shot completely in Vanuatu and the first to get nominated for the Academy Awards
  • If you loved the tradition in Whale Rider and want to go one step further
  • Volcano shots! The lava spewing everywhere is amazing! Check the trailer above if you aren’t sold.
The Breakdown

The first thing you’ll notice in Tanna is the incredible setting. The whole film is filmed on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu and all the action takes place in and around the rain forest. Fortunately for us, the landscape includes picturesque waterfalls and an awesome volcano. It’s pretty much impossible to make the island look bad.

Life here is free. The kids run around chasing each other every day in their natural playground. Initially it seems like a life of no worries. However, unfortunately, you’ll learn that it life is not as free and romantic as it initially appears. Firstly, Selim, one of the youngest kids of the group, is told she has to grow up and become a woman. Secondly, when she is taken to visit her spirit mother, her Grandpa is beaten to death by a rival tribe. You’ll have to watch the film to find out the consequences.

Western Influence on the Island

You’d be forgiven for thinking that this film is set before the arrival of Captain Cook and the western world. The tribal life on the island has none of the amenities we take for granted such as electricity, supermarkets, or mobile phones. However, even though they seem like they have never encountered Western culture, you’d be wrong if you thought they were completely cut off. In fact, one of the tribes’ members has a picture of himself with Prince Phillip of England dressed in a suit. Plus, there’s a christian camp with electricity, clothing, and regular houses just over the hill by their camp.

Why is it important that they are not cut off? Because it shows the strong and enduring legacy of tribal life. It shows that they have chosen to live life in the rain-forest even though they could switch to the ‘luxuries’ of western culture. It’s a great example of cultural relativism: the idea that all cultures should be understood individually and not judged against each other. No way of life or culture is better than another. However, unfortunately most of the cultures subject to western colonialism weren’t given a choice.

Conclusion

Tanna is beautiful. If you’re one of those who watched Avatar and felt depressed afterwards because our world wasn’t the same, then you might feel the same way after you watch Tanna.

*****Spoilers*****

But romanticizing aside, there’s a great story-line which draws parallels to a Shakespeare classic. And ultimately there’s a somewhat happy ending. That the indigenous culture of Tanna are managing to adapt whilst still opting to remain completely independent from Western culture.

 

2

Whale Rider

Click on the poster to watch for £2.50 on Amazon or find this film on Netflix!

Whale Rider Film Difficulty Ranking: 1


Are you fed up with reading subtitles? Well here’s your chance for a break. Whale Rider is a beautiful film from New Zealand showcasing the Maori people and culture. It is your chance to learn about the indigenous people of New Zealand and how they are adapting their traditions and culture to the modern world. Do your part and watch this film to support Maori heritage.

 Why Watch Whale Rider?
  • This is your chance to learn some Maori mythology
  • Learn a bit about Maori culture and it’s plight in New Zealand
  • See a chubby uncle whip out his Taiaha routine
  • The girl who played Paikea became the youngest nominee of the Best Actress at the Academy Awards (until Quvenzhane Wallis)
  • It’s a beautiful foreign film and easy to watch – it’s mostly in English and it is currently on Netflix!
Breakdown

The film starts with the birth of Paikea, the granddaughter of the village chief and direct descendant of Paikea, the whale rider who rode to New Zealand from Hawaiki. However, the opening scenes are traumatic. Paikea is born but her twin brother, the first born male son, is lost along with their mother. Her dad is obviously distraught, having lost his wife and son. His father Koro tells him that he can always make another one. Too soon!

Grandfather Koro is the chief of the village of Whangara. He is growing older and older and only desires a true heir. His son has rejected his calls for a son and Paikea cannot carry his lineage as a female. He is desperate to keep the tribal traditions alive but is too stubborn to adapt to the new world. The locals don’t take him seriously either. One kid farts at a school Maori dance and all the village laughs out loud, except for Koro. But don’t feel sorry for him, because he chooses to ignore the signs. In his stubbornness to adapt he is turning his tradition and culture into history.

The Maori culture is also threatened by the town they live in. As one boy says “this place is a dump.” And he’s right. The town has nothing to offer the kids; no opportunities, only poverty. The dads are absent, chasing opportunities in other places where they can find jobs. In the town, the only person you see working is the school teacher. So what’s the solution? It’s awareness. The film shines a light on the poor living conditions – something that we had no idea about. Just as In Vanda’s Room depicts the poverty in Lisbon or how Tsotsi shows the slums of Johannesberg.

Conclusion

Whale Rider is a beautiful film full of emotion. Plus it is easy to watch, at times reminding me of a great Disney film. However, it also has a lot of depth. It teaches us about Maori culture and the state of the Maori people today in New Zealand. It revives the myths and culture like Song of the Sea and shines a light on the indigenous situation like Smoke Signals. A must watch for all.

If you want to see more about indigenous people of Australasia check out Rabbit Proof Fence!

3

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Image resultFilm Difficulty Ranking: 1

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a classic comedy. This film from New Zealand is like a Little Miss Sunshine, an indie gem that you’d be missing out on if you didn’t watch it. Fronted by Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) and newcomer Julian Dennison, who is unforgettable. Do yourself a favour – go have a laugh and watch this movie.

Why Watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople?
  • You like a good laugh
  • To learn how to survive in the ‘bush’
  • For a few homages to Lord of the Rings
  • You want to find out how director Taika Waititi followed up What We Do In The Shadows
  • #rickybaker
The Breakdown

Hunt for the Wilderpeople starts with some beautiful helicopter shots of the New Zealand landscape (think Lord of the Rings). After the landscape shots we follow a police car driving along a trail into the forest. In the back sits a chubby kid in colourful baggy clothing. They stop outside a wooden house in the middle of nowhere and a homely looking older woman gives the young kid a big hug. The social security leave this ‘dangerous’ kid with this woman and leave.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a film which is made by the characters. There are some classic one-liners that you’ll love. (I’ll only spoil their impact if I write them here). Also, there’s a lot of characters too silly to find in other movies such as Psycho Sam. Plus, you’ll be singing about Ricky Baker when the credits start rolling.

The director also parodies scenes from other films to add to the comedic value. What is a parody?

A parody is an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.

In this film Waititi recreates a scene from Lord of the Rings in which Frodo and the hobbits hide under a tree trunk as a black rider stops and rides on past them. As per the definition above, Waititi deliberately exaggerates the imitation for comedic effect. I also got a kick out of the little homage to Lord of the Rings. There are plenty of other examples of this in the film so see if you can spot them and the film they are parodying.

Well, I really wish I could have done this film justice but I’m just going to have to settle for the hope that you aren’t put off by this review and go watch it regardless. If you can’t be asked to pay for the cinema, then watch one of Waititi’s other films, What We Do In the Shadows on Netflix instead.

 

4

What We Do In The Shadows

Film Difficulty Ranking: 1

New Zealand created the perfect Vampire Mockumentary with What We Do In The Shadows. Who thought that Vampires could be so funny after Twilight!? Featuring the next director of Thor and half of Flight of the Concords get your fix of film from down under right here!

Why Watch What We Do In The Shadows?
  • You like a quirky comedy (ie. Napoleon Dynamite, Big Lebowski…)
  • You didn’t like Twilight as it had no realism or humour.
  • To learn about the Vampire Society in Wellington, New Zealand.
  • You’re a Vampire Hunter wishing to learn more about your targets.

Viago, age 379, wakes up from sleep at 6pm just after the sun has set. He gets out of his coffin and wakes up his room mates for a house meeting; Vladislav (aged 862), Deacon (aged 183), and Petyr (too old to remember). Deacon is hanging upside down in the closet, Vladislav is having a vampire orgy, and Petyr is too scary to invite to the house meeting.

Hand-held cameras give What We Do In The Shadows it’s authentic ‘documentary’ style. We feel like we are really being given a tour of a Vampire household in Wellington, New Zealand. In addition the costumes and production design work a treat to make everything believable. From the stone coffins to each of the Vampire’s unique styles the set and costumes allow us to believe this mockumentary.

As it can be hard to write about comedies without giving away some of the punchlines, I’m just going to say that this one is worth your time. I was sceptical as Vampires aren’t my faves, but luckily for me, the combination of posh Viago, rebellious Deacon, the reformed torturer Vladislav, and odd-ball Petyr is funny enough to remind you of the most hilarious moments you might of had in a flat share or halls.

Don’t skimp out on Kiwi films! (It’s on Netflix).

5

The Orator (Samoa) – Follow the old ‘Samoan Way’

The Orator Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

When you think of Samoa, you probably think of pacific island paradise. The Orator not only showcases the island’s beautiful scenery but also Samoan culture. It’s your chance to try and follow the ‘Samoan Way’. Check it out on Amazon here (free for Prime members).

Image result for the orator film

Why Watch The Orator?
  • Get to know Samoa, from it’s beautiful landscape to the Samoan language and the ‘Samoan way’
  • Meet a courageous little person
  • And a crazy smoking, paint spraying rugby coach
  • To see some great button up shirts
The Breakdown

The Orator starts with rain and the views and sounds of the natural landscape. It’s beautiful, lush green, and full of life. Then human voices start singing and the camera cuts to a picture of two grave stones in the middle of the forest.

They’re the graves of Saili’s parents. He visits them almost every day and tries to clear the graves of yam plants local farmers have planted around the site. But because of his size (he’s a dwarf/little person) he gets bullied around by the village. And the farmers planting yams around his parents graves threaten to cut of his head if he keeps vandalizing their crops.

Who’s Saili? It’s not entirely clear. All we know is that he’s a taro farmer and that he has a job as the night-time security guard of a local shop. He lives with his wife and her daughter although their relationship seems pretty cordial and friendly rather than romantic. His wife is an outcast just like him, after she was exiled from her home village for reasons we can only assume (probably for having her daughter out of wedlock?).

Why is there so little exposition?

Director Tamasese doesn’t waste time with exposition in The Orator. Instead he immerses us straight into the movie, straight into the Samoan landscape, language, and culture. As a result, we have to figure out what is going on, as well as who the characters are and how they’re related to each other.

His aim is to make you feel like an outsider, just like the two main characters. They have lived most of their lives outside of the ‘Samoan Way’ and have to rediscover it whilst we are trying to figure it out. As a result, we identify more with their journey and struggle.

Conclusion and What to Watch Next

The Orator is a window into another world. With beautiful cinematography and a slow contemplative rhythm, you’ll slowly be introduced to the ‘Samoan Way’.

There are quite a few great films of indigenous people and customs from across Australasia. I strongly recommend checking out:

  • Tanna – a Shakespearian love story adapted to the Vanuatan rainforest
  • Rabbit Proof Fence – to cheer on three children from the ‘stolen generation’ trying to walk home after they are separated from their parents
  • Another Country – to meet an indigenous community in Australia

Or for another contemplative drama with a strong flavour of local life, check out Timbuktu, where you’ll see how the three tribes/ethnic groups of Timbuktu get along.