Samoan comedy uncovers "real island guy"

Transcript

A comedy about a New Zealand born Samoan who travels to Samoa to learn what it means to become a 'real island guy' is set to be released this year.

The film, 'Three Wise Cousins' follows Adam, who turns to his two cousins to teach him about life in Samoa, in an attempt to win the heart of his love interest, Mary.

The producer, writer and director of the film, who wants to be known as S.Q.S, spoke with Leilani Momoisea about the making of the film.

S.Q.S says he's aiming to release 'Three Wise Cousins' in Samoa and New Zealand cinemas by July this year.

The movie, 'Three Wise Cousins', a comedy about travelling to Samoa to learn what it takes to be 'a real island guy' starring Neil Amituanai, Vito Vito & Fesuiai Viliamu. Photo: Jack Woon

S.Q.S : I think every New Zealand born Samoan or Pacific Islander, will know, or remember what it's like to go to Samoa for the first time, that cultural shock. For our main actor, Neil Amituanai who plays Adam, it was a genuine shock for him because it was his first time in Samoa. It was his first time on a plane. And so it was a real experience for him, it paralleled his character, in going to Samoa and having to do all these chores. There's a sort of underlying feeling you get from our two Samoan actors, the whole idea that this guy is, they call it 'fia palagi', coming to Samoa and trying to learn these things. Everyone talks about it, but I think this will be the first time you actually see it on the big screen.

Leilani Momoisea : How much of the humour and the jokes are actually scripted, or was a lot of that off the cuff?

S.Q.S : I'd say 90 percent of the film was scripted, and 10 percent was ad-libbed. Sometimes ad-libbed because the guys forgot their lines. For Vito and Fesui, who play Tavita and Mose in the film, it was sort of their first time acting. I always knew that I would cast Fesui and Vito, who are I guess popular, and recognised in their own right. The idea for this movie came after I finished working on a segment called 'Mr Lavalava' for Fresh. That's where Fesui and Vito became well known for their time on that show. A lot of their lines became viral. I remember working on that show, and getting the feel that these guys had a lot of conviction. I really liked their character, it's sort of two different angles on what an island guy could be. Samoans through and through, but very different personalities.

Leilani Momoisea : Is it self-funded, this project?

S.Q.S : Yeah, so this film is self-funded, with strong support from my friends and family in terms of their time and talents. Real small crew, I think four of us in terms of the tech crew, plus my parents, who came with us for two weeks and cooked and cleaned for us, which is always helpful putting the film together. I think that comes through in the film in terms of just how comfortable everyone is, it felt like a family, putting an item together.

Leilani Momoisea : When people watch this, at the end of the movie, what are you hoping people get out of this?

S.Q.S : I'm hoping that they take away a particular lesson. The film is structured in such a way that the expectations change by the time you leave the film. I won't spoil it, but ultimately I want them to be entertained, to put a smile on their face, laugh a lot. But also to see that it is possible for a Pacific Island film to be made, and that you don't always have to wait for funding.

"An island alarm clock" - a scene from the Samoan comedy movie, 'Three Wise Cousins'. Photo: Jack Woon