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    As A Samoan Woman, Here Are 12 Pacific Islander TV Shows/Movies That I Can't Recommend Enough

    These movies and TV shows will have you laughing one moment and crying the next.

    In my opinion, Pacific Islander movies and TV shows are so underrated. But maybe that's because people might not know where to start! So here are 12 shows and movies that showcase Pacific Islander culture, humor, and talent:

    1. Boy (2010)

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    Madman Entertainment / Via youtube.com

    This film is always one of my top recommendations! It's about an 11-year-old child named Boy, who lives with his brother and cousins at their grandma’s house. While his grandma is away, his estranged father returns from jail to find the money he buried in the backyard. Before his arrival, Boy imagined his father as a noble and heroic man, but he soon comes to realize that his father is not a great person. It's set in 1984, and – despite some serious underlying themes – it is hilarious, with the added bonus of a great soundtrack and memorable cinematography. It’s sure to be a favorite!

    2. Tanna (2015)

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    Lightyear Entertainment / Via youtube.com

    Tanna, based on a true story, is set and filmed in Vanuatu and tells the story of two lovers from the same tribe who want to be together. However, the female protagonist, Wawa, is promised to another tribe in order to keep the peace. Conflict arises when the couple chooses love despite their tribes forbidding it, and they run away to start a life together. As they journey outside their tribes, they begin to see how difficult it is to survive alone and grapple with missing their families. Despite the struggle, they try their best to keep choosing love. Below the surface, it presents themes that are at the core of many Pacific Islander cultures, especially carrying out one's duty for the greater good rather than serving individual desires.

    3. Sione's Wedding (2006)

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    Madman Films / Via youtube.com

    Also marketed as Samoan Wedding, this is a classic – at least, it was for my generation and older (am I old?). This comedy follows a group of four friends who are notorious for ruining special occasions for their friends and family. They finally run out of luck after one of them sleeps with the bride at a wedding. They're banned from attending the wedding of one of the men's brother unless they bring dates they are serious about. The group soon realizes that finding a date to take to the wedding is a lot harder than they thought, and they take the audience along with them on a journey of laughter and brotherhood.

    4. bro'Town (2004–2009)

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    TV3 NZ / Via youtube.com

    Bro'Town was one of the first TV shows I ever saw with Pacific Islander representation. Although it aired while I was living in New Zealand, I was young at the time, so I wasn’t aware of things like media representation and why it mattered. I was able to appreciate it more when I watched it as a teenager in Australia because there were no mainstream shows or movies on Australian TV that I could relate to. Bro'Town follows the lives of five kids growing up in Auckland, NZ, and will have you laughing for hours. It is truly comedy done right — it presents the realities of many Pacific Islanders with the kind of humor that's common among so many of us. It's no surprise that the idea was based on the humor of the comedy group, The Naked Samoans.

    5. Jilel: The Calling of the Shell (2014)

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    Microwave Films / Via youtube.com

    I watched this film recently and thoroughly enjoyed it as it reminded me of my home village in Samoa and my people. It tells the story of a young Marshallese girl who is gifted a powerful heirloom by her grandma. When her brother finds it and pawns it for a few cigarettes, things start to go wrong around him. He finally realizes that the misfortune is being caused by selling the heirloom, and they do everything they can to bring it back. While this is all happening, they are constantly confronted with the realities of climate change and the possibility of losing their home forever — a real issue that our islands are facing today.

    Where to watch: Vimeo

    6. Mr. Pip (2012)

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    This is a beautiful film about a girl from war-torn Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, who finds solace in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. As the movie progresses, we see the girl's mind meld the two worlds of Bouganville and Great Expectations together as the book becomes an escape from her reality. When she writes the name Pip in the sand, rebel warriors misunderstand and think it is a sign of rebellion, and chaos ensues for the small island. It was a riveting watch from beginning to end, and as the credits rolled, I wanted to rewatch it again immediately.

    7. The Casketeers (2018–present)

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    TVNZ / Via youtube.com

    The Casketeers centers around a Maori couple, Francis and Kaiora Tipene, as they run their funeral parlor business. The show has been a great success because of the quirky couple, their relationships with the rest of the staff, and the way in which they navigate their business. What I love most about this show is the way they carry out the funerals of all kinds of people from different backgrounds and faiths with the utmost respect. The show is full of laughs as well as many touching moments as we watch this couple maneuver their way around their personal and business lives.

    8. Vai (2019)

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    New Zealand Film Commission / Via youtube.com

    This film moved me to tears as a Pacific Islander woman. It is the brainchild of nine female Pacific Islander filmmakers and was filmed across seven of our islands: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kuki Airani (Cook Islands), Samoa, Niue, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). It is a portmanteau film (a movie with two or more separate storylines) that tells the tales of women from each of the different islands. When the stories are put together, they form a single story common to many of our Pacific Islander women — a story of sacrifice and carrying on our traditions and cultures while trying to integrate into the Western world. It was also a beautiful reminder of the strength of our women, the knowledge we carry, and to never forget our roots!

    9. SIS (2020)

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    NEON NZ / Via youtube.com

    This show had me laughing from beginning to end! It takes the form of a series of sketches. On one side, it shows a group of brown writers who are creating a comedy show with a racist white boss, and on the other side, their characters come to life in the form of three close cousins who address all the real and awkward conversations that young Pacific Islanders have to navigate: everything from sexual health to being a "plastic" islander. This is also another show that has mastered comedy! In an interview with the Guardian, creator Hanelle Harris says the "sketch series dissects race, religion, gender, and pop culture through the lens of three Pasifika women."

    10. Whale Rider (2003)

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    Madman Films / Via youtube.com

    This is a touching story about a girl named Paikea (Pai), who is a descendant of a great chief known for riding a whale from Hawaiki, promptly named the Whale Rider. His male descendants led their village for generations until there were no longer any men left, as Pai’s brother died during childbirth. Although Pai wants to lead, her grandfather forbids it since she is a girl, and it is not part of their traditions to have women leaders. Pai doesn’t give up though, and she continues to fight to prove that she is worthy of the title. This film is unforgettable, moving, and deserving of all the accolades it has received over the years.

    11. Leitis in Waiting (2018)

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    Passion FIlms / Via youtube.com

    I stumbled across this documentary while doing a university assignment, and it remains embedded in my mind. Leiti is the Tongan word often used to describe trans, third-gender, or queer people. It gives the audience a glimpse into the world of the Tongan Leiti Association and its members — everything from their relationship with the church, dealing with discrimination and abuse, and their lives as Leitis. This film is an important one as third-gender and queer people are indigenous to many of our islands' cultures, and it shows how they are an integral part of our islands despite the influence of Christianity and colonization.

    Where to watch: Plex, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+

    12. And finally, Moana (2016)

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    DIsney / Via youtube.com

    Last but definitely not least, Moana! Do I even need to introduce this movie?

    For those who are unfamiliar, Moana tells the story of a chief's daughter who has a connection to the sea. Her people, led by her father, have long forbidden sailing past the reef in order to ensure their safety. However, when the land they rely on to sustain them begins to wilt and weaken, Moana takes the risk of going beyond the reef to try and save her people. Not only does it portray many of our values as Pacific Islanders and our relationship to the land, but it is also a great family movie with an equally awesome soundtrack. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for?

    These shows and movies have entertained and moved me as a Pacific Islander, but I'm sure I've missed many more. What are some of your must-watch Pacific Islander shows or movies? LMK in the comments below!

    Stream Whale Rider on Peacock.