Vai (film)

Vai is a 2019 New Zealand anthology film by nine directors from the Pacific Islands: Nicole & Sharon Whippy (Fiji), 'Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki (Tonga), Matasila Freshwater (Solomon Islands), Amberley Jo Aumua (New Zealand born Samoa), Mīria George (Cook Islands), Marina Alofagia McCartney (Samoa), Dianna Fuemana (Niue), Becs Arahanga (New Zealand). New Zealand is mentioned by its Maori name, Aotearoa, to keep in line with the theme of the movie.

Vai
Directed by	Becs Arahanga Amberley Jo Aumua Matasila Freshwater Dianna Fuemana Miria George Ofa Guttenbeil Marina McCartney Nicole Whippy Sharon Whippy
Written by	Becs Arahanga Amberley Jo Aumua Matasila Freshwater Dianna Fuemana Miria George Ofa Guttenbeil Marina McCartney Nicole Whippy Sharon Whippy
Starring	Ro Mereani Adi Tuimatanisiga Ar-Ramadi Longopoa Betsy Lania Luitolo
Release date	2019 (2019)
Running time	88 minutes
Countries	Fiji Tonga Solomon Islands Cook Islands Samoa Niue New Zealand
Languages	English Fijian Roviana Samoan Niuean New Zealand Maori Cook Island Maori

The film follows the stories of different women from the Pacific Islands, all sharing their story and a variation of the name, Vai, which means water in many languages of this area. With each story, we see these women through different stages of their lives, from childhood to old age, as they live, struggle and engage with their culture in different ways. The film explores the themes of autonomy, female emancipation, and the bond one has with their culture.

The film is in a variety of languages, namely English, Fijian, Roviana, Samoan, Niuean, New Zealand Maori and Cook Island Maori (Rarotongan).

Plot

• Fiji, directed by Sharon and Nicole Whippy: Sevaia aged 7 years. She has to say goodbye to her family and country of origin.
• Tonga, directed by 'Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki: Vai Mo'ui aged 13 years. She dreams of going to New Zealand to become a singer and her daily life consists of drinking water.
• Solomon Islands, directed by Matasila Freshwater: Vaelusa aged 16 years. She fishes with her mother around the Solomon Islands and argues about the manner of fishing.
• New Zealand born Samoan, directed by Amberley Jo Aumua: Vaisea aged 21 years. Her family has made sacrifices so that she can pursue her studies at a university in New Zealand. She is stuck between family pressure and her education in a world that doesn't understand her.
• Kūki 'Āirani (Cook Islands) by Mīria George: Vai aged 30 years. She engages in action to bring change to Rarotonga Island, in an effort to stop a foreign fishing company from owning all the waters around the island.
• Samoa, by Marina Alofagia McCartney: Sevai aged 42 years. She returns to her hometown after many years for a traditional ceremony.
• Niue, by Dianna Fuemana: Vai aged 64 years. She tries to convince her granddaughter, Moana to leave Niue for a different life.
• Aotearoa (New Zealand), by Becs Arahanga: Rapuwai aged 80 years. She celebrates the "baptism" of her great-granddaughter, Vai.

Production

In 2017, Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton, due to the production company, Brown Sugar Apple Grunt, produced the critically acclaimed film, Waru. Soon after, they proposed the film, Vai. In January 2018, Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton contacted various filmmakers from the Pacific Islands to submit their film for the project. The selected directors stayed at the Waiheke Island for five days on a writers' retreat to write the script. The film was presented at the opening of the 2019 Berlin Film Festival.

Accolades

• Best Screenplay, Melbourne International Film Festival, 2019
• Best Film, Seattle International Film Festival, 2019