Comedy is Translation

A great TED talk that relates really strongly to the power of comedy in Tonga.

Tongan Language Week Screening at Unitec with ‘My Lost Kainga’

A big thank you to Malia Talakia for organising a twin screening of ‘Fun(d)raising’ and ‘My Lost Kainga’ at UNITEC on the 6th September as part of the inaugural Tongan Language Week.

Read press announcement here and here.

Learn more about Tongan Language Week here.

‘My Lost Kainga’-New Tongan Feature Film

A new Tongan feature film received it’s premiere this week in Auckland. See coverage of the film here on Tagata Pasifika.

Public Lecture and Film Showing at USP, 15 Sept 2009

The Public Lecture on Social Filmmaking in Tonga was a great success. The lecture theatre at USP was full. Fun(d)raising was shown half way through the lecture and afterwards many people asked questions and offered their own testimonies of filmmaking. The lecture and film were recorded by TMN and a half hour version was shown on their channel the following evening. 

For a copy of the lecture please email me at mikepoltorak@hotmail.com

Tongan Comedy @ MAU Theatre, Friday 21 August, 4.30pm

Fun(d)raising will receive its first NZ premier at an informal gathering at the MAU theatre this Friday, a great venue that celebrates Pacific performance and has hosted the Laughing Samoans and a tribute to Epeli Hau’ofa.
http://www.mau.co.nz/contact.php

I very much thank Hufanga Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina and Albert Refiti for organising this opportunity.

Return to Tonga-August 2009

I’m very happy to say that I’m coming back to New Zealand and Tonga next week and staying till mid September. I’ll be looking for venues to show Fun(d)raising as a tribute to Siua Tutone and looking into developing a documentary on the subject of comedy, diabetes and health promotion. Any suggestions welcome. It is a sad time to return with the tragic ferry accident in the international news.

Rest in Peace: Comedy Genius Siua Tutone

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Siua Tutone (aka Moala Lahi) who was buried in Taunga last month. For many years he had participated with Tevita Koloamatangi in public comedy concerts, raising much money for churches all over the Kingdom of Tonga. He did so with an amazing dedication, overcoming initial shame of performing infront of large crowds. His motivation was to help his wife and children who he loved deeply. His wit and physical comedy was legendary. 

Complications from diabetes finally ended his life, for many years he had battled with the condition.

If you can fill in more of Siua Tutone personal and family history please contribute to this blog. I would very much like to write a combined tribute to him.