Tonga and Politics Film 2008

DVD Cover "Truth is what the chief says, and history is what the highest chief says"
( Dr Elizabeth Wood-Ellem)

Still Shots
1. HRH Prince Tu'ipelehake
2. Rev. Siupeli Taliai
3. Queen Salote Tupou III
4. HRH Prince Tu'ipelehake 

This is my first film called Tonga and Politics.  Talanoa was hosted by HRH Prince Tu'ipelehake (Sione Takeivulai Ngū Tuku'aho) and filmed in Melbourne, Australia before his tragic death on the 6th of July 2006.  Tonga and Politics is an insight into the Tongan way of "fofola e fala kae alea" (to unroll the mat for discussion).  Featuring Reverend Siupeli Taliai disbanding Tongan ideas about God, the Monarchy and Democracy.

Tonga and Politics was premiered in Canberra at the Australian National University during the Pacific History and Film Conference in 2008.  It has also been shown during the Tonga History Conference in Tonga (2007) and at Auckland University by Dr Phyllis Herda - Department of Anthropology (2008)

Directed and Produced by      

Loketi Niua Latu 

Edited by          

Joshua Burns
Elizabeth Wood-Ellem

Loketi Niua Latu

Translations    

Uanivā Havea

Elizabeth Wood-Ellem

Loketi Niua Latu

Directory of Photography

Dale Mark Ackermann

Running Time

43mins. Subtitles

Film Reviewed by

Dr Guy Powles

Senior Research Fellow (Monash University, Melbourne)

BA, LLB, LLM(Hons), PHD

Loketi Niua Latu has produced and directed a 43-minute film, set in a historical context, that is a remarkable portrayal of Tongan attitudes to government.  The film is mainly in Tongan, with English sub-titles, and the soundtrack includes Tongan hymns.  Loketi's technical skill is evident from the start in the visually and aurally pleasing preliminary sequences of a nose flute player, and aerial Island shots.  The film begins and ends with Biblical reference, the first an excerpt from missionary John Thomas' diary, which is followed by contributions from members of the Royal line, from Tupou 1 to the present day.  The introduction is also noteworthy for its skilful juxtaposition of images of political significance for today.  The main focus of the film is contemporary, centred on the work of the National Committee for Political Reform (NCPR).  This is approached through a record of parts of the Melbourne public meeting on 22 June 2006 with three NCPR members, HRH the late Prince Tu'ipelehake, Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki, and Mr 'Aisea Taumoepeau.  The clear exposition by Prince Tu'ipelehake establishes a calm and measured start to a story that ends in violence, the burning and looting of Nuku'alofa on 6 November 2006.  Members of Melbourne's Tongan community present their views, a variety of opinions, and of styles of presentation on a number of critical issues and members of the Committee respond.  Rev. Siupeli Taliai interviewed at his home, offers thoughtful observations on the situation and concludes the film commentary with a Biblical analogy.  The recurring motif of the Tongan Defence Forces Brass Band's skilful and energetic band music and dance performances during the central section provide a light counterpoint to the serious considerations and underlying purpose, further indicating Loketi's expertise.  At another level, the discipline of the Tongan band is contrasted with the lawlessness of graphic scenes from 16/11.  This film makes a bold contribution to the understanding of contemporary politics in Tonga, and hopefully will be widely viewed.

Still Shots
1. Nose Flute - Hon. Ve'ehala
2. Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki
3. Rev. Jason 'Isileli Kioa
4. 'Aisea Taumoepeau