Congratulations to The Orator (O Le Tulafale) debut director/writer Tusi Tamasese and producer WIFT NZ's Catherine Fitzgerald for being selected to premiere in competition in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) section of the 68th Venice International Film Festival. Filmed entirely on the island of Upolu, Samoa and in the Samoan language, The Orator is a contemporary drama about courage, forgiveness and love. It tells the story of Saili who lives a simple, humble life with his beloved wife and daughter in an isolated, traditional village in the islands. Only six NZ feature films have been selected to screen at the Venice International Film Festivals:
2002 Blessed (Writer/Director Rachel Douglas) - Official Selection
1996 Forgotten Silver (co-Writers/co-Directors Costa Botes and Peter Jackson) - Official Selection
1995 War Stories (Writer/Director Gaylene Preston) - Official Selection
1994 Once Were Warriors (Writer Alan Duff, Director Lee Tamahori) - Best First Film Award
1994 Heavenly Creatures (Writer/Director Peter Jackson) - Silver Lion Award
1990 An Angel at my Table (Writer/Director Jane Campion) - Special Jury Prize
An interview with Tusi can be seen here