Three Wise Cousins

Overhearing his crush say she only likes “real island guys” is all it takes to get Adam (Neil Amituanai, in his big screen debut) packing his bags for Samoa, in this comedy by Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (TV's Fresh). Shot largely in Samoa over two weeks, the self-funded film co-stars Samoan locals Vito Vito and Fesuiai Viliamu as Adam’s cousins, teaching him the basics of island life. Three Wise Cousins reached number eight at the NZ box office in its opening weekend, and continued to win solid audiences, despite minimal publicity. Stuff critic James Croot called it "colourful and charming".

I set out to make a film that was entertaining. Whether it has artistic merit or critical [acclaim], it doesn't matter. For me, if an audience, in particular a New Zealand Pacific Island audience, sits in there and doesn't laugh, then I've failed.

– Director Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, in a Stuff interview, 3 January 2016

Key Cast & Crew

Neil Amituanai

As: Adam

Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (SQS)

Director, Cinematographer, Writer, Producer

Wilhelm Voigt

Producer

Fesuiai Viliamu

As: Tavita

Vito Vito

As: Mose

Gloria Ofa Blake

As: Mary