Fugitive lovers.
On a remote South Pacific island, a headstrong young woman falls in love with the village chief’s grandson. But she has been promised in marriage to a warlike rival tribe in a bid to bring about peace. Faced with separation, the lovers run away together into the forest.
Based on real events that took place in 1987, this remarkable ethnographic film was shot by Australian documentary makers Bentley Dean and Martin Butler on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. The cast had never seen a movie camera before, let alone acted; and their costumes amount to grass skirts and penis sheaths (their habitual wear). Yet their candid performances put many trained thespians to shame.
And if this weren’t enough to pique your interest, Tanna also looks stunning, with the primal images of lush green rainforest and a fiery volcano adding to the story’s mythic power. That said, the drama does require a little patience. Enter into its beguiling spirit, though, and you will see why the film picked up a best foreign language Oscar nomination this year.
Certificate 12 A. Runtime 100 mins. Directors Bentley Dean, Martin Butler
Tanna debuts on Sky Cinema Premiere on Wednesday 13 September. Available on DVD from Yume Pictures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMmpaj3K7dY
