Afi Loa - A Polynesian Dance Film

A film i'm proud to share, one I feel honoured to be a part of representing the Pacific. AFI LOA is a passion piece brought together by the hearts and souls of many Artists. Premiered live in front of an audience from Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and the USA; AFI LOA received a grand ovation as an exhibition piece to open the Siva Afi Festival in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Inspired by the eruption of Mt Matavanu in Saleaula Savaii - Samoa, there lies the ‘Virgin Taupou Grave’. All surrounding villages were destroyed by the lava flow, yet this grave lies completely unscathed, untouched. The Virgin Taupou (the high chief’s daughter) was so ‘pure’ it is said that the lava flowed around her grave. This year’s Siva Afi exhibition delicately breathes new life into the story of this Taupou. It centres around the power of lava that not only exists in the belly of mother earth but synonymously, in the womb of every tama’ita’i. Our Taupou will journey across the moana guided by the gods; Mafui’e, Pele and Ruaumoko, where she discovers the power of fire. Thus, reminding us of the unified connection we have with the elements. We honour our Pasifika sisters who walk the line of fire within their own journeys and through this performance, we celebrate the rise of women in this fiery domain of siva afi. CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Charlene Tedrow ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Tom Natoealofa CINEMATOGRAPHER / EDITOR / COLOURIST – Ben Mikha MUSIC SCORE / SOUND MIX - Peter Hobbs GAFFER – Julian Wagner 1st AC – Lukas Faulkner SOUND RECORDIST – Cody Wilcox SOUND DESIGN - Ron Hailes-Paku PERFORMERS - Katerina Fatupaito, Lomina-Meteri Araitia, Saofaigalii Veronica Tulafasa,Melanie Tia, Emillie Elizabeth Lovett, Hadassah Tagoai DANCE COMPANY - Ura Tabu Pacific Dance, Wahine Toa Siva Afi LOCATION - Hell's Gate, Rotorua LOCATION GUIDES + BTS - Paul Rayner, Scott Zhang SPECIAL THANKS: Imagezone IG - www.instagram.com/benmikha Web - www.benmikha.com Siva Afi Fest - https://www.sivaafiaotearoa.co.nz/