Cinema
Flying Fox in a Freedom Tree
Martyn Sanderson · 1989
Synopsis
On the Samoan island of Sapepe, young Pepe grows up torn between tradition and the modern world. He rejects both the customs of his village and what his father, Tauilopepe, wants: wealth and success. A rebel, he refuses the Christianity that came from elsewhere and proclaims himself a descendant of the ancient gods; he leads the burglary of his father's store and sets fire to a church in Apia.
Context
The first feature film by its director, who wrote the screenplay, the film adapts two texts by the Samoan Albert Wendt, including a short story from 1974. It was shot in Samoa with a largely amateur local crew, produced by Grahame McLean Associates and the New Zealand Film Commission; Faifua Amiga plays Pepe, Richard von Sturmer, Tagata. It circulated at festivals from 1989 to 1991, from Amiens to Tokyo, from Hawaii to Warsaw and Umeå.
Who it is for
Ninety-two minutes, in English. The story follows a boy who changes a great deal from one episode to the next.
Prizes and reception
Grand Prize of the City of Amiens in 1989 and prize for best screenplay at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
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