News:
With support from the Public Diplomacy Fund, the New Zealand High Commission (Apia) co-hosted the Samoan premiere of One Thousand Ropes — the new film from internationally acclaimed New Zealand–Samoan writer / director, Tusi Tamasese — on Thursday 16 March 2017.
The red carpet event was attended by the stars and crew of the film (including Frankie Adams and Beulah Koale, both formerly of Shortland Street), His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (the Head of State of Samoa), members of cabinet and government officials, and representatives from Samoa's media, business, academic and religious communities. Family members of the cast — and cast and crew from Tusi's first feature, The Orator — were also present.
Working in collaboration with Transmission Films, distributors of the recent box office hits Lion and The King's Speech, the New Zealand High Commission saw the premiere as an opportunity to showcase the strong links, and close family and cultural ties, between New Zealand and Samoa — particularly across the creative industries.
One Thousand Ropes is a deeply moving story of family connections, redemption and new beginnings. And while the film is delivered through a Samoan lens, the themes — domestic and intergenerational violence, and anger — are issues hat touch all corners of our community, not just Pacific Island people. Tusi himself describes the narrative as 'global' — a story about human beings and humanity — and one which resonates with a broad cross-section of society.
One Thousand Ropes, which received majority funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, was shot in Wellington, with the world premiere held in February at the Berlinale Film Festival, Germany.
The film is one of only three New Zealand features — and the first bilingual English–Samoan film — to have been screened in the prestigious Panorama Section of the Berlinale; the last being No. 2, in 2006.
The movie opens for general release across New Zealand and in Samoa on Thursday 23 March 2017.
Writer / director: Tusi Tamasese
Producer: Catherine Fitzgerald
Cast: Tuiasau Leota Uelese Petaia, Frankie Adams (Shortland Street, The Expanse), Beulah Koale (Shortland Street, the upcoming Thank You For Your Service), Sima Urale, Ene Petaia, Anapea Polataivao.
Read more from the Samoa Observer(external link)
Read more from the New Zealand Herald(external link)
View the full One Thousand Ropes Samoa premiere album on the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa's Facebook page.(external link)
