Māori and Pasifika Collection Goes International

A showcase of Māori and Pasifika films from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision’s collection will reach an international audience in Guam during the Festival of Pacific Arts 2016, from May 22 to June 4.

The two-week festival brings together around 2,500 artists, performers and cultural practitioners from around the Pacific Region, along with thousands of visitors. It has been hosted by a different country in Oceania every four years since 1972.

“Film was only introduced as an art form in the Festival in 2012 when a selection of directors and producers were invited to provide content,” says Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Kaiwhakataki/Programme Coordinator, Lawrence Wharerau.

“Then 18 months ago, Creative NZ approached us to see if I’d be interested in curating and leading the programme – creating something a bit more collaborative and cohesive.”

“And I thought why not? It’s an amazing opportunity to reach a wider international audience.”

With input from within and outside Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Lawrence whittled an initial long-list of 85 titles into a day-long programme of feature films, documentaries, Māori and Pasifika shorts.

It includes a selection of silent films that will screen in support of taonga puoro performances by Horomona Horo and James Webster – with the silent footage as a backdrop to beautiful musical accompaniment.

“I looked for longstanding, well-received works with gravitas. And another thing on my mind was that we can’t blow all the best stuff in one sitting if this partnership with the festival is to have longevity,” says Lawrence. “So there’s more to come!”