Tales
Many of the films we produced have contained stories that have resonated with viewers. Here is a collection of the most popular tales and the associated DVDs on which you will find them in their entirety.
Champions
The winning fautasi at Samoa's 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations was Segavao III, skippered by Vaimasenu'u Zita Martel. Most of the 45 Don Bosco crew are between 16 and 20 years of age and they won by a clear margin of several boat lengths. This fautasi was built in Samoa in the parish of Si'usega and was designed by Zita. The design is based on the traditional paopao, Samoan outrigger. Full story is available on the DVD, Samoa-The Journey
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
Samoa the JourneyFolauga a Samoa
Samoan Male Tattoo
The traditional Samoan male tattoo extends from the waist to each knee. It's called pe’a and may take several months to complete. Each tattoo is unique although specific elements of the design recur. The design around the naval is particularly important. On the DVD Samoa - Traditional and Historical, the story 'Rites of Courage' tells how two Samoans, born in the USA, come to Samoa to embark on this long and painful tradition, along with a young local Samoan.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
SamoaTraditional and Historical
The Mystery of the 'Joyita'
In 1955 a small inter-island trading vessel called 'Joyita' set out from Apia to the Tokelau Islands with 25 passengers and crew. It never reached its destination. When finally sighted 37 days later, it was 1000kms off course. There was no trace of the passengers.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
SamoaTraditional and Historical
Traditional Installation of a Fijian Paramount Chief
In 1994, a new Paramount Chief is installed on the island of Gau in the Lomaiviti group, Fiji. It is the first time in over a century since the ceremony has been performed here. This historic audio visual record is filmed over a period of 4 days.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
FijiThe Land and the Legends
Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa
Robert Louis Stevenson came to Samoa in 1890. He had battled all his life with tuberculosis and in Samoa’s warm and friendly world, he seemed to find his health again. He cared about his new country and its people who came to recognise him as a wise and caring friend who fought for justice for them. He asked for nothing. The Samoans in turn grew to love and respect him.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
SamoaTraditional and Historical
Champions are made on hundreds of invisible mornings
In the many months before Samoa's Independence celebrations, the young men of Si’usega village, most of them between the ages of 16 and 20, train hard and long in their fautasi, skippered by Vaimasenu'u Zita Martel, for the annual Championships on the last day of the celebrations.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
Samoa the JourneyFolauga a Samoa
Tattoo
The Samoan tattoo for males and females is recognised as a symbol of courage and status. In both cases it is a very painful process. The male tattoo is called pe’a. It extends from the waist to each knee. The design around the naval is very important. Each tattoo is completely unique although specific elements of the design recur. It may take many months to complete the full tattoo. The female tattoo extends from the knee to the upper leg and is called malu. In some cases the hands are also tattooed. In Rites of Courage and Path of the Butterfly a young Samoan man and woman choose to embark on this journey.
This story is featured on the following DVD/s:
SamoaTraditional and Historical
