Pear Ta Ma 'on Maf

The Land has Eyes

Fiji / USA 2004
produced by
Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, Corey Tong, Merata Mita (executive) for Te Maka Productions
directed by Vilsoni Hereniko
starring Sapeta Taito, Rena Owen, Voi Fesaitu, Elisapeti Kafonika Inia, John Faisu Fatiaki, Ritie Titofaga, James Davenport, Maniue Vilsoni, Sarote Fonmanu, Emily Erasito, Moriki Tigarea, Mareko Tomniko Veu, Fuata Semesi, Mata Tomniko Iane, Wilson Paul Tomnuiko, Vamarasi Ross Veu, Seu Morris, Atu Sosefo F.Lino, Eliesa Paka, Selina Jimione, Jare Ieli, Kauteao Vilsoni, Shereen Rebecca, Lawrence Olsson, Gagaj Tukagsau, Tonu Vakiora, Atalifo Kamilo, Riamkau Aisea, Lia Hereniko, Akata Fauoro, Luisa Motufaga, Samuela Tiuhea, Alfereti Samo
written by Vilsoni Hereniko

review by
Mike Haberfelner

Viki (Sapeta Taito) is a schoolgirl from a poor but honest family on Rotuma who has dreams to one day study in Fiji, and she is fascinated by stories about the island's first warrior woman (Rena Owen), who soon becomes her role model. When her dad is dragged to court by his neighbour Koroa (Maniue Vilsoni), cheated into admitting to a crime he never committed by the court translator Poto, and sentenced to pay a huge amount of money, this breaks him, and when he dies from the effects, Viki temporarily goes mental and casues a pig stampede in her village. However, she more and more figures the only way to beat the system is to study in Fiji, and really, she makes it best of her class and is suggested for a scholarship - which will probably be granted to Poto's nephew though because of his good relations to gouvernment circles. Viki nevertheless decides to attend the interview for the scholarship, but immediately before the interview she has a fight with her sister that leaves her cloths and face all dirty when she's called in, and at first it looks as if she's got no chance, but then translator Poto makes a fool of himself in front of the attending chieftains and the judge (James Davenport) while she manages to hold her own, and all of a sudden, a freak wind targeted specifically at Poto seems to be sent here as if the land was punishing the man. The judge is so impressed that he not only grants Viki's scholarship but also clears her father's name.

A film targeted specifically at the festival and world cinema crowd: It walks an extra mile for authenticity and spends what seems like hours presenting Rotuman rituals documentary style, while at times totally forgetting the film's narrative - which is pretty feeble and full of clichés to begin with. Also the movie goes to some extra length transmitting feminist, socialist and back-to-the-roots messages festival audiences all over the world seem to love. Now that all would be fine, and I can back most of the film's messages 100% - what I can't back though is the clumsy way they are transported and represented, as if the filmmakers did not actually want to give their audiences food for thoughts but just reassure them in their own beliefs. All of this wouldn't even be half bad if everything was carried by an imaginative directorial effort - but no, the direction of The Land has Eyes is merely functional, full of heavy-handed symbols, and fails to bring its key scenes (like the pig stampede or Poto's punishment) to life in the slightest. The strong point of the film on the other hand is its lead actress Sapeta Taito, but her powerful performance isn't nearly enough to turn the movie around. (I might feel obliged to state here that reportedly Sapeta Taito, whose debut this was, has never even seen a movie before being in this one - but that might just be a cute little PR-fabrication.)

By the way, the English title of this film is not an hommage to cult-shocker The Hills have Eyes but refers to a Rotuman proverb that's repeatedly used in this film.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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