Film

Film About the Pacific

In recent years, the Library has acquired a number of videos about the Pacific Islands. Those seeking a very complete listing of materials about the region should consult:

Hamnett, Judith D. 1986. A guide to films about the Pacific Islands. Working Paper Series. Pacific Islands Studies Program, Centre for Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Hawaii.

Miller, Melissa C. (ed.). 1989. Moving images of the Pacific islands. A Catalogue of films and videos. Occasional Paper Nº 34. Honolulu, Centre for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawaii.

Those films held at UNSW are the following:

Hickson, Jill. 1996. Bougainville: Australia's hidden war. 32 mins. Actively Radical TV, Sydney.

Featuring Moses Havini, representative of the Bougainville interim government, Marilyn Havini, Australian activist involved in the Bougainville freedom movement and Rosemary Gillespie, Australian human rights lawyer.
[UNSW Call No. ABRVID 995.92/5]

O'Rourke, Dennis. 1987. Cannibal Tours. 67 mins. Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies, & Channel 4, Australia.

The camera follows a group of tourists from America, Spain and Germany on a trip up the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea. We observe the tourists taking photos, making home movies, bargaining for native artefacts. They also talk about their notion of the primitive. This is juxtaposed with the monologues of native people expressing their bemusement at the behaviour of the tourists while recognising that they stand to gain materially from their presence. In his concern with the metaphor of the journey and with (in his own words) 'discovering the place of the other in the popular imagination', O'Rourke is placing his film at a point where fiction and non-fiction intersect.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 919.575/1]

Mediatrak. 1995. Moruroa, le grand secret. 21 mins. Cutting Edge, Sydney.

Looks at the French atomic tests over the years on the atoll. Also looks at the consequences for the Pacific people who live in the area and the effect tests have had on their lives.
[UNSW Call No. ABRVID 363.17990996/2]

Schuman, Renata. 1998. Ngan Jila - house of riches. 25 mins. Centre Culturel Tjibaou, New Caledonia.

No description available.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 708.99597/1]

George, Susan. 1989. From debt to development. 48 mins. Instructional Resources Unit, ANU, Canberra.

A talk presented by Dr. Susan George at the Australian National University 24 July 1989, discussing both sides of the question of international aid.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 336.3435/56]

C.B.C. 1973. In The South Seas: Fella Belong Bush. 28 mins. Canadian Braodcasting Commission, Canada.

The continued presence of the French and the British in the New Hebrides causes bitter resentment amongst the indigenous population. A militant group, led by a chief called Jimmy Stevens, proposes that all uncultivated land be returned to the people, while the foreign planters retain land used productively.
[UNSW Call No. S FLM/21]

Holloway, Tracey, & Thomson, Liz. 1994. Last Magician. 55 mins. Land Beyond Productions, Australia.

In this program the conflict between the preservation of traditional culture and the forces of modern development is played out through the eyes of three Trobriand Islanders whose views are diametrically opposed - Chief Nalubutau, the Islands' last great magician; William Takaku, National Theatre Company Director; and John Kasaipwalova, businessperson and next Island chief. The film is an intimate and moving account which poignantly reflects the passing of an era in Papua New Guinea.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 303.4829541/1]

Thorne, A. G. 1988. Man on the Rim. 170 mins, and 120 mins. ABC, Australia.

Four video cassettes tell the story of the settlement of the Pacific and adjacent continents, from the arrival of the earliest Australians to the epic voyages of the Polynesians. Contents 1. First footsteps -- 2. Hunters and gatherers -- 3. Into the deep freeze -- 4. Flaming arrows -- 5. Changing the menu -- 6. The cutting edge -- 7. The powerhouse -- 8. Pure and simple -- 9. Road without wheels -- 10. The feathered serpent -- 11. The last horizon.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 990/74/(1-4)]

Breco, Paul. 1988. Marshall Islands. A Matter of Trust. 18 minutes. Bush Co-operative, Victoria.

Tells of the devastating effects of militarisation, economic dependence and westernisation in the Marshall Islands.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.83/5]

Oceans of Dreams. Currents of Change Series

Wilson, James. 1989. Cook Islands. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film looks at life in the Cook Islands, where a cultural renaissance is taking place, encouraged by tourism, the education system and the wishes of the people.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.23/11]

Wilson, James. 1989. Fiji. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film examines contemporary Fiji since it became a republic in 1987 and depicts traditional and modern life, as expressed by the viewpoints of the people themselves.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.11/37]

Wison, James. 1989. Kingdom of Tonga. 30 mins. Juniper Films. Sydney.

Film portrays life in the Pacific Island kingdom of Tonga, the natural beauty, the people and the ceremonies of the island.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.12/12]

Wilson, James. 1989. Kiribati. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film looks at contemporary and traditional life and the challenges and changes, which face Kiribati today.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.81/17]

Wilson, James. 1989. Niue. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film examines contemporary issues and challenges facing Niue and its people.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.2/4]

Wilson, James. 1989. Papua New Guinea. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film looks at the distinctive Huli people, traditional and contemporary life and the challenges and changes, which face Papua New Guinea.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 995.3/34]

Wilson, James. 1989. Tuvalu. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film looks at contemporary Tuvalu, the old ways, the new challenges and how people live in this tiny South Pacific island nation.
[SVID 996.82/1]

Wilson, James. 1989. Vanuatu. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film looks at life in Vanuatu, village life and life in the capital, Port Vila and expresses feelings and viewpoints of Vanuatu's people.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 995.95/3]

Wilson, James. 1989. Western Samoa. 30 mins. Juniper Films, Sydney.

Film portrays life in Western Samoa, primitive and modern, work and play, everyday and ceremonial.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.14/12]

Burns, Bob. 1987. One People One Soul. 54 mins. AFI, Australia.

Deals with the division of New Guinean peoples into Indonesian Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. 'West Papua' (Irian Jaya) was not granted independence in 1969. This program looks at the fighting and problems in this dispute and at the plight of the refugees.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 995.1/4]

Murray, Don. 1980. Solomon Islands. 222 mins. Film Australia, NSW.

Video examines traditional and village life in the Solomon Islands, alogside adaptation to modern ways.
Contents Tape 1. 1. Araha Ana Romo -- 2. Bifo Kam -- 3. Ha'a Alahanga Ni Ulawa -- 4. Moro, a Melanesian Bigman --5. Nambo -- 6. People of Nuipani -- Tape 2. 1. Taem Bifo Long Lauro -- 2. Totora and Siwa -- 3. Volo Momoru -- 4. Wogasia.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 995.93/11 /(1-2)]

Tagata Pasifika Series,

Evans, Michael. 1988. Tagata Pasifika: Niue. Unknown length. Television New Zealand, Auckland.

Shows highlights of the celebration of Niue's 13th year of self-government including the visit of the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, and general views of Niue, particularly as a tourist resort.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.2/5]

Evans, Michael. 1988. Tagata Pasifika Highlights: Rarotonga. Unknown length. Television New Zealand, Auckland.

Shows life in Rarotonga and the rest of the Cook Islands, mainly in relation to tourism, and discusses difficulties facing expatriate Cook Islanders who want to return from New Zealand.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.23/10]

Evans, Michael. 1987. Tagata Pasifika: Samoa. Unknown length. Television New Zealand, Auckland.

Shows celebrations for the 25th anniversary of independence for Western Samoa, as well as Samoan markets and food.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.14/11]

Evans, Michael. 1988. Tagata Pasifika Highlights: Tonga. Unknown length. Television New Zealand, Auckland.

Shows celebrations for the 70th birthday of the King of Tonga, and describes tourism in Tonga.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 996.12/11]

Vanuatu, Wan Smolbag Theatre Series

Webber, Alison. 1995. Another Week, Another Workshop. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre, Vanuatu.

This is the second documentary presented by British Aid Programme on Vanuatu's community theatre group, Wan Smolbag Theatre. This video highlights Wan Smolbag's training of other community theatre groups both in Vanuatu and other Pacific island countries. The plays these groups perform address social issues now facing Pacific island communities.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 792.099595/1]

Walker, Peter. 1994. George and Sheila. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre, Vanuatu.

This is the story about a young couple, George and Sheila. Their relationship is strained when Sheila joins a local sports team. George remembers the violence of his own childhood and appears destined to repeat that violence in his marriage.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 362.8292/31]

Walker, Peter. 1992. Like any other lovers. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre, Vanuatu.

This is the story of Chris and Linda, a young couple whose relationship is threatened when Chris learns he is infected with HIV - the virus which can lead to AIDS. Together their love overcomes the prejudice and rejection of those around them.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 362.1969792/173]

Dorras. 1996. On the reef. Unknown length. Pasifika Communications, Vanuatu.

This is a musical comedy about some sea creatures, a triton shell, a fish, an octopus, a sea cucumber and a crab. They must choose a song to represent them in a great reef band competition, but they all want to choose their own songs and can not agree with each other. Meanwhile danger surrounds them.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 792.6/1]

Andrew, Timothy. 1994. Pacific Star. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre and Pasifika Communications, Vanuatu.

This is a musical comedy about the introduction of tourism to a remote Pacific island community. It examines the reasons why tourism is being introduced and follows the transformation of the people and the community after the tourists' arrival.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 338.47919595/1]

Wan Smolbag Theatre. 1993. Storian blong Angela. Wan pleple saed blong family planning. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre, Vanuatu.

No description available.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 363.9609595/1]

Dorras. 1996. Things we don't talk about. Unknown length. Wan Smolbag Theatre and Pasifika Communications, Vanuatu.

Andrew's family don't want to talk about his blindness, Rau's father is ashamed of his backward son and wants to hide him away. Both families hope that a miracle will make Andrew and Rau normal. But when David, a disable man comes to the island, makes Andrew realise that being blind isn't the end of everything.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 362.1042/61]

Wan Smolbag Theatre. 1995. Wan Smolbag Theatre: The first five years. 45 mins. Pasifika Communications, Vanuatu.

The story of Vanuatu's first community theatre group, Wan Smolbag Theatre, since 1989.
[UNSW Call No. SVID 792.0220995/1]

Tupou Young Farmers' Association. 1986. Young Farmers in Development. 27 mins. Institute of Cultural Affairs, Australia.

Reviews the year long "Youth Employment Initiative Project" which was implemented by the collaborative efforts of the Tupou Young Farmers and the Institute of Cultural Affairs, and funded by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau. This project aimed to promote farming and agriculture in Tonga and the Pacific and to promote youth employment in agriculture in an attempt to thwart the "urban drift" and subsequent social problems that arise from the breakdown of traditional village communities and values.
[UNSW Call No. SVIDQ 338.189612/1]

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