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Hero image for Va Tapuia - Sacred Spaces

Va Tapuia - Sacred Spaces

Short Film (Full Length) – 2009

PG
Parental Guidance

Taro planter Lui’s grief for his dead wife is blighting his life and crops. A widow, Malia, is bound by anger to the grave of her abusive husband, as the rising sea slowly drowns it. When Lui and Malia meet by chance, he’s provided with a path from his hurt. Filmed in Samoan on the island of Upolu, and directed by Samoan-born Tusi Tamasese, the short is a fable-like meditation on communion, cooking and sacred places. It was selected for the Clermont-Ferrand and Hawaii film festivals, and was the precursor to Tamasese’s Venice-selected debut feature, The Orator.

Growing up in Samoa, I was fascinated by the bond between our deceased relatives usually buried in our front yards.
– Tusi Tamasese

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Pouoa Malae Lialia'i

Pouoa Malae Lialia'i

As: Lui

Profile image for Tusi Tamasese

Tusi Tamasese

Director, Writer

Profile image for Catherine Fitzgerald

Catherine Fitzgerald

Producer

Generic Profile image for Lena Rivers

Lena Rivers

As: Malia

Generic Profile image for Peter Tamasese

Peter Tamasese

Art Director

Profile image for Nathaniel Lees

Nathaniel Lees

Associate Producer

See all 14 credits

Produced by

Logo for Blueskin Films

Blueskin Films

Source

Logo for The Film Shop

The Film Shop