VAI
New Zealand / 2019 / 88 min / DCP / Adventure
Director : Becs Arahanga, Amberley Jo Aumua, Matasila Freshwater, Dianna Fuemana, Miria George, Ofa Guttenbeil, Marina McCartney, Nicole Whippy
Script : the 8 directors and Sharon Whippy
Cinematography : Drew Sturge
Editing : Dione Chard
Music : Lauren King
Production : Kerry Warkia, Kiel McNaughton
Cast : Hinetu Dell, Maliaga Erick, Fiona Collins, Evotia-Rose Araiti, Agnes Pele, Betsy Luitolo, 'Ar-Ramadi Longopoa, Mereani Tuimatanisiga
Vai is a portmanteau feature film made by nine female Pacific filmmakers, filmed in seven different Pacific countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kuki Airani (Cook Islands), Samoa, Niue and Aotearoa (New Zealand). It is about the journey of Vai, played by a different indigenous actress in each of the Pacific countries. We follow Vai life from her 7 years to 80 years. In each of these Pacific nations ‘vai’ means water.