Transcript
The Kiribati Government criticised 'Anote's Ark' saying it did not follow ethical standards.
The film chronicles Mr Tong's work to put climate change on a global agenda and his concerns over the future of his home.
But in a statement the government said while it fully supported the freedom of the press and coverage of climate change impacts on Kiribati, it called on filmmakers to be more respectful to local people.
"'Anote's Ark' claims Kiribati will be sinking and drowning in 30 or 50 years. This is very offensive and shows lack of respect to the people on the "ground" who are doing all they can to cope, and to the Government of Kiribati that is trying hard to build a brighter future and hope for its people."
The government says locals were not given enough opportunity to share their stories in the film.
Anote Tong says the film took in a number of viewpoints but says he was also uncertain if people in Kiribati were aware about the science surrounding climate change.
"I had taken the decision that you cannot involve people who really don't know what they are talking about. We are hearing people making statements, even today, but really they've not read the background on the science. The real question is, is the science correct or is it not? And I think there has been overwhelming science coming forward to give us a warning that we should be very worried about what is happening."
The government also accused the film of erroneously tying the Pacific access scheme to New Zealand with climate change.
Mr Tong was president for the maximum 12 years, until 2016, and while in office he talked of the need to plan migration around a worst case scenario.
Mr Tong says even if there is only a one percent chance that future generations are in danger, then the government must act.
"I don't believe that we could ever get the resources necessary in order to build up all of the islands and so acknowledging that reality we have to also ponder the possibility that some of our people may have to relocate and if they are to relocate then the policy that I advocated that they must not relocate as climate refugees but as people who would migrate with dignity."
The film's director, Matthieu Rytz, says the government has a drastically different view to climate change than Mr Tong.
"The new government is basically trying to destroy every single policy that Anote Tong has been putting together and one of the things is, if you accept that people have to move away from Kiribati to migrate to New Zealand, you accept climate change as a real issue and they don't want it."
The government denies this and has released what it calls the country's first climate change policy.
"Disappearing and sinking islands are no longer appropriate as we speak because the world now understands and agrees that there is danger due to climate change and sea level rise, and Kiribati like any other vulnerable islands is receiving financial assistance to deal with the impact of climate change and sea level rise."
Matthieu Rytz says while making the film he worked well with the previous administration but the current government has cracked down on the media.
"They are already chasing all journalists and filmmakers and researchers out from their country so now they just don't like the fact that the movie is getting very big and screening everywhere. It was screening in Auckland like a month ago so they are trying any way to stop the process of showing that movie."
Mr Rytz says the new approach was seen in the aftermath of the Butiraoi ferry disaster when foreign journalists were sent home.
He also says he was arrested back in January while attempting to screen 'Anote's Ark' in Kiribati and his property was confiscated.
The government then tried to block the film from being shown at the Sundance Festival in the US.
Mr Tong says he is happy to meet with the government and discuss their concerns because the issue should not be politicised.
He also says he is not speaking for the government but is speaking on behalf of his grandchildren and the generations whose future must be secured.