Vai (2019)
★★★½ — Vai (2019)
Vai arrived in 2019 as a genuinely unusual co-production, pulling together nine female directors from across the Pacific (Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, and the Solomon Islands) to tell a single character's story across seven segments, each shot in a different country and performed by a different indigenous actress. The project grew out of a conscious effort to amplify Pacific women's voices both behind and in front of the camera, at a moment when indigenous filmmaking in the region was gaining broader critical attention following the success of films like Māui's Hook and the wider visibility of the New Zealand Film Commission's diversity initiatives. Production companies Brown Sugar Apple Grunt and Department of Post kept the budget modest, reflecting the grassroots, community-minded spirit of the whole enterprise.
A-Z World Movie Tour Niue (and about 6 others) Vai is a quietly remarkable film, an anthology like no other, weaving together seven chapters directed by seven different women from six Pacific nations, all following the journey of a character named Vai at different ages and in different island nations. From Fiji to Aotearoa, Tonga to Samoa, each segment stands alone, yet together they form a cohesive, deeply moving coming-of-age narrative. The concept could have felt fragmented, but instead, it flows like a river, the same name, the same spirit, rippling through time and place, shaped by each unique culture she moves through. What makes Vai so special is its authenticity. This isn’t a story filtered through an outsider’s lens; it’s made by Indigenous Pacific women, telling stories rooted in their own languages, traditions, and realities. You feel the salt in the air, hear the lilt of dialects, witness the quiet strength of women guiding one another. Each chapter captures a different stage of life. Childhood curiosity, teenage rebellion, adult responsibility, elder wisdom and in doing so, paints a rare, full-circle portrait of a Pacific woman’s life, shaped by community, land, and ancestral connection. It’s not without flaws, pacing varies between segments, and some stories feel more complete than others, but as a collective work, it’s powerful. It’s a rarity in cinema: a truly collaborative Indigenous vision that feels unified, respectful, and deeply personal. More than just a film, Vai is a cultural gift. A celebration of identity, resilience, and the unbroken thread that ties women to their roots. A must-watch for its heart, its honesty, and its place in Pacific storytelling history.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2019 | Watched: 2025-08-03
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Amazon Prime Video · Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Physical: Amazon UK
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