Tanna

I have seen a few reviews both here and on other sites that make me laugh in relation to the reviewer's knowledge of the movie "plot" and of Tanna Island itself.

NO, NO, NO! Tanna is NOT in a remote part of Australia nor is it a part of the Solomon Island group.

Tanna is one of the 97 Islands in the Republic of Vanuatu, (Formerly known as the New Hebrides until independence in 1980.)

There is no such word as "Vanuatuan" it is just Vanuatu. The people are known as Ni-Vanuatu (basically meaning 'born Vanuatu'), not "Indians".

For those who thought that the 'plot' was a bit thin, what were the film makers supposed to do? The 'plot' is based on REAL events that happened just as 'recently' as 1987. Would it have been right for the film makers to fabricate a different story or outcome?

One of the real take aways from the movie and the events themselves was just how quickly the Ni-Vanuatu people reacted to the sad outcome that was initially brought on by the prior custom of arranged marriages.

The people in the movie may be viewed by some as 'uneducated savages', but hey, they stopped arranged marriages in 1987, the Royal Family of Britain were still wanting to arrange marriages until Prince William and Prince Harry turned the tide.

The other thing that gains some criticism, is that the film gets a bit slow from time to time. Yes, I agree that it does.

But I think what the movie makers were trying to create, was not just a typical movie with just a storyline, they were trying to draw us into knowing the people of Vanuatu better, they were giving us incredible images of the great beauty of the country and it's islands, and they were showing us that Vanuatu is "another time, another pace".

Things do tend to happen a bit slowly in Vanuatu, and the Pacific Islands as a whole. The term 'Pacific Time' is well known to seasoned travellers.

In Vanuatu, you learn to slow down, look around and see and appreciate the little things in life. Take time to smell the Hibiscus and the fresh clean environment.

Sure there is violence, but also look at the simple pleasures and happiness gained by the people. People living happily and contentedly without the need for material things that we think are so important to our lives.

People living together, supporting one another and coming together and resolving issues in times of turmoil and grief.

Look beyond the storyline and our own ideas of life and see that these 'primitive' people have so much to teach us 'civilised' ones, if we just take the time to stop and really look.

'Tanna' is what cinema is all about. Storytelling using the visual medium to illuminate and transport the viewer into another world. Collaborators Bentley Dean and Martin Butler have long histories in journalism and magazine current affairs and have achieved success with their documentaries, but this is their first feature film. They have intrepidly ventured into the picturesque locale of the Vanuatu island of Tanna and its indigenous folk for this tale of star crossed lovers.

Whilst using an age old narrative theme, the conflict at the centre of 'Tanna' is whether to go with your heart or your head (here represented by tradition and tribal custom), the filmmakers have beautifully photographed and captured the daily life and tribulations of this somewhat cloistered population. Plucked from the very villages they were born and raised in, the performances are really fine; having been well cast to handle the daunting task of acting in a movie. Of particular note for me was the wonderful Marcelline Rofit as the younger sibling of the betrothed lead, played by Marie Wawa. Her eyes taking in everything around her and affected by the changes are really fascinating to observe through her perspective. Mungau Dain plays the forbidden object of desire for Wawa, and according to the filmmakers he was chosen for the leading role as he was the most handsome in his tribe. He has a perfect mix of sensitivity and strapping masculinity. The two leads work very well together. 'Tanna' makes filmmaking look easy, but the degree of difficulty cannot be underestimated here. With a remote location, a cast that had never seen a movie, let alone acted in one; the cultural respect and fascination of Dean & Butler is evident in their sensitive and at times majestic portrayal of the peoples of Tanna. Bentley Dean's evocative cinematography and Antony Partos' effective score add to the atmospheric feel of the look and sound of the film. There is some tart dialogue that injects some needed humour and humanity into what might have been a conventional story. For me, seeing filmmakers explore unchartered terrain; both cinematically and culturally engenders more enthusiasm for contemporary film. There are plenty of formulaic directors and writers perpetuating the same notions of mores and perspectives, so it is refreshing to spend a couple of hours with other peoples and other customs. And it is a most affecting and enriching experience.

Going into this I wasn't really sure what to expect. Maybe for that reason the sheer dazzling beauty of its beauty really surprised me and really had me falling in love with what I was seeing. I don't think the screenplay is on the level of the directing, acting, and cinematography here (although it's still rather good) and that's only because the film works on a level of poetry and trance-like mystery and awe. Its beauty sort of transcends the screen and really leaves you with so many different emotions. It's great that a film like this got nominated for the Oscar and while I don't think it's the best of the nominees, it surely comes highly recommended.

This movie is wonderfully shot, giving you a taste of life at Tanna. I wanted to watch this movie to better understand people on this island after I read autobiography of John Paton, a missionary to Tanna. I am a bit disheartened by portrayal of Christians in this movie as some kind of weirdoes. And when the chief said that they though off the colonial powers, money, Christians etc., he did not mention this cannibalistic tribe, robbed, ransacked, killed and ate missionaries who brought medicine, written language, hope and so much more to the people of Tanna. The Christian church was built on their blood and bones that are still there in the ground of Tanna. But that would, of course, take away from the main story of love, which is very beautiful and touching. I thought I would write about something that I felt was unjustly treated in the movie. Great movie. I wholeheartedly recommend.

the poetry of image. the simplicity of story. the new version of Romeo and Juliet tragedy. the tradition, war and need of piece. spectacular for the wise, admirable manner to remind old truths. for the science to explore habits, places, vulnerabilities and the essence of life from a small community looking for save its fundamental values. a fragile, delicate, profound impressive story. about the life. about love. about fights and gods and rules and need to conquer the peace. a poem more than a film. touching in deep sense. because, in fact, it is a film for memory.