Mostra Internazionale d Arte Cinematografica Venice

“O Le Tulafale” (The Orator, 2011) is the first film to come out of Samoa and was shot on Upolu in Samoa. It premiered in the 'Orizzonti' section at the 68th Venice Film Festival.

"Saili (Fiaula Sanote), an unassuming villager and taro farmer, lives happily with his beautiful wife Vaaiga and her teenage daughter Litia. Their existence, whilst happy and peaceful; is unconventional. Vaaiga has been banished from her ancestral village for many years. Saili faces serious threats to his plantation as well as his family & has been denied his fathers chiefly title that would offer some protection. Life is further complicated by Litia's blossoming beauty that is attracting the attention of the young men in the village. Matters ultimately come to a head, requiring Saili to speak up, speak out & to defend all that he holds precious." (Official Synopsis)

Written and directed by Tusi Tamasese; Produced by Catherine Fitzgerald; Associate Producers Maiava Nathaniel Lees and Michael Eldred; Starring Fiaula Sanote, Tausili PushparajCinematography by Leon Narbey

photos by Vanessa McMahon