For My Father’s Kingdom
NATIVe 2019
NZL 2019
by: Vea Mafile'o, Jeremiah Tauamiti
For My Father’s Kingdom
NATIVe 2019
NZL 2019
by: Vea Mafile'o, Jeremiah Tauamiti
Saia Mafile'o
For My Father’s Kingdom
NATIVe 2019
NZL 2019
by: Vea Mafile'o, Jeremiah Tauamiti
For My Father’s Kingdom
NATIVe 2019
NZL 2019
by: Vea Mafile'o, Jeremiah Tauamiti
Vea Mafile'o
For My Father’s Kingdom
NATIVe 2019
NZL 2019
by: Vea Mafile'o, Jeremiah Tauamiti
Jeremiah Tauamiti
Feb 12, 2019Jeremiah Tauamiti, Vea Mafile'o, Emily Mafile'o, Elizabeth Mafile'o, Robert Mafile'o
The directors with their cast.
NATIVe – For My Father’s Kingdom
Feb 12, 2019Sandra Kailahi, Jeremiah Tauamiti, Vea Mafile'o
The producer and the directors.
NATIVe – For My Father’s Kingdom
Feb 12, 2019Robert Mafile'o
The protagonist at the Photo Call.
NATIVe – For My Father’s Kingdom
Feb 12, 2019Jeremiah Tauamiti, Vea Mafile'o
The directors.
NATIVe – For My Father’s Kingdom
Feb 12, 2019Jeremiah Tauamiti, Kamila Andini, Justine Simei-Barton, Amie Batalibasi
The directors of the films together at the Photo Call.
NATIVe – For My Father’s Kingdom
What does it cost to preserve one’s culture and faith in the diaspora? The children of Saia Mafile’o can provide an actual figure because their father surrenders all his income to the Wesleyan church of Tonga. ‘Misinale’ is the name of the fundraising campaign that calls on people in and from Tonga to raise money for the community. Although Saia has been living in New Zealand for many years, he is determined to adhere to this tradition. This is hard for his adult children to understand, because his donations mean that they are short of money for other things. A trip with their father to his homeland helps them better understand the Tongan way of life and accept that attitudes here are not always compatible with Western notions of efficiency. In long, dialogue-rich shots, this documentary explores how the church, Tongan culture and traditions can hold a family together but also be a burden. The film does not take sides, rather it gives its protagonists all the space they need to air smouldering conflicts and negotiate the price that intercultural dialogue demands. An intimate look at the discussions taking place within one family that also captures the sensuality of Tongan food culture and festivity.
by
Vea Mafile'oJeremiah Tauamiti
New Zealand 2019
English, Tongan
Documentary form97’ · Colour
World premiere
After taking a degree in fine art, she began working in television art departments before becoming an art director and camera operator on short and feature films. Now a television director, she continues to design and dress sets for various corporate events. In 2015, she was invited to exhibit her work as an artist at the Venice Biennale. As part of her ‘Digital Fananga’ project she has produced three short films in Tonga, one of which won the Break Through Award at the Sydney Pasifika Film Festival in 2015.
Filmography2015 'Aho'eitu; short film 2018 Toa`ipuapuagā Strength in Suffering; short film 2019 For My Father's Kingdom
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019
This freelance film and television director lives and works in Auckland, New Zealand. He began his career as a television camera operator and has produced, directed and filmed for broadcasters including TVNZ, TV3 and Maori TV as well as producing several videos for the New Zealand government. As a writer and director he made his feature film debut For My Father’s Kingdom.
Filmography2017 Maria; short film 2018 Liliu; short film 2019 For My Father's Kingdom
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019
Kingston Productions
Malosi Pictures