We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The Tattooist

The Tattooist

Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 2007

R13
Restricted

Tattoo artist Jake Sawyer (played by Jason Behr, the American star of TV series Roswell) travels the world looking for ethnic designs to exploit for his art. At a tattoo expo in Singapore, he is introduced to the traditional Samoan tattoo, and falls for Sina (No. 2's Mia Blake) the beautiful cousin of tattooist Alipati. When Jake recklessly steals a Samoan tattooing tool, he unwittingly unleashes a powerful spirit that endangers everyone he touches. The first official Kiwi-Singaporean co-production was directed by Peter Burger (Until Proven Innocent), and produced by Robin Scholes (Once Were Warriors).

An eerie tale against a backdrop of Samoan tattooing superstition, The Tattooist opens our eyes to a different kind of ghost story.
– Reviewer Louise Keller on Australian website Urban Cinefile, 26 June 2008

Produced by

Logo for Eyeworks New Zealand

Eyeworks New Zealand

Acknowledgements

Financed by the NZ Film Commission, Daydream Productions and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, supported by the Singapore Film Commission under the Project Development Scheme

Categories

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for The Body Art Collection

The Body Art Collection

NZ On Screen's Body Art Collection features more than 30...

Thumbnail image for Tales from Te Papa - Tatau: Samoan Tattooing

Tales from Te Papa - Tatau: Samoan Tattooing

Mini documentary on Samoan tattooing

Thumbnail image for Fish Skin Suit

Fish Skin Suit

More unusual goings-on directed by Peter Burger

Thumbnail image for Ghost Bride

Ghost Bride

More cross-cultural supernatural horror

Thumbnail image for This is Her

This is Her

Also stars Mia Blake

Thumbnail image for Savage Symbols

Savage Symbols

Documentary about Samoan tattooing

Thumbnail image for Signatures of the Soul - Tattooing Today

Signatures of the Soul - Tattooing Today

A Peter Fonda-presented documentary on tattooing

Thumbnail image for Black Sheep

Black Sheep

Directed by Tattooist co-writer Jonathan King

Thumbnail image for Turangawaewae / A Place to Stand

Turangawaewae / A Place to Stand

Peter Burger also directed this short film

Thumbnail image for When We Go to War - First Episode (excerpt)

When We Go to War - First Episode (excerpt)

Also directed by Peter Burger & produced by Robin Scholes

Thumbnail image for The Lost Tribe

The Lost Tribe

More inter-cultural supernatural events

Thumbnail image for New Tattoo

New Tattoo

More tattoos

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

Also produced by Robin Scholes

Thumbnail image for Tattoo

Tattoo

Explores the love-hate relationship many people have with...

Thumbnail image for Sione's 2 - Unfinished Business

Sione's 2 - Unfinished Business

A very different Samoan tale, also featuring David Fane

Thumbnail image for Kete Aronui - Peter Burger

Kete Aronui - Peter Burger

Interview with director Peter Burger

Thumbnail image for I Will Not Let You Down

I Will Not Let You Down

A Don McGlashan song that featured in this film

Thumbnail image for Bloodlines

Bloodlines

A telefeature directed by Peter Burger

Thumbnail image for Bella

Bella

A short film involving illicit tattooing

Thumbnail image for Skin Pics

Skin Pics

A Geoff Steven-directed documentary on tattooing

Thumbnail image for Teine Sā -  The Ancient Ones (excerpts)

Teine Sā - The Ancient Ones (excerpts)

More Pasifika horror

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 1 - Ngaa Tapuwae / Sacred Footsteps (First Episode)

Tagata Tangata 1 - Ngaa Tapuwae / Sacred Footsteps (First Episode)

More on traditional Samoan tattooing

Thumbnail image for Tatau

Tatau

A short film involving a Samoan man and his tattoo

Thumbnail image for Marks of Mana

Marks of Mana

Interview with a female tatau artist

Thumbnail image for Mai Time - Body Art Special (excerpts)

Mai Time - Body Art Special (excerpts)

A Mai Time presenter gets a temporary henna 'tattoo'