(UPBEAT MUSIC) Captions by Julie Taylor. Edited by Shrutika Gunanayagam. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017 (HIP-HOP MUSIC) My passion is storytelling. What I love to do is find interesting characters and sharing their stories with the world. (LAUGHS) Get real artsy with it. 'I've recently graduated from South Seas Film School, 'and I'm following my dreams to become a documentary director.' My name is Iggy Timo-Booth. I'm 22 years old. I've got Samoan, Cook Island, a little bit of Maori and European heritage, but what I really wanna do is tell stories about the Polynesian experience in Aotearoa. (LAID-BACK MUSIC) Auckland is a huge melting pot. It has the biggest Polynesian community outside of the Pacific Islands, and it's the perfect place to explore Polynesian culture and people. Why is the Otara Markets important for the community? This is the place where people get together. Well, it's important cos it just keeps us connected with our heritage, you know, our culture. This is also a place where you can get, you know, your relatives, like, come down; they can come see you. I think this is the main congregation area of the Pacific Islanders, you know? They always come here, because they sell quite a lot of food. (LAUGHS) Recently, I survived a diagnosis of leukaemia. It was a really tough time, but it made me think as to what I'm contributing to the world. I wanna live my life to the fullest, and I wanna learn more about myself. So, where are you from? Uh, I'm Samoan, Cook Island and, like, a mix of New Zealand European. Yeah, we're all fruit cakes, cos I'm part Samoan too, German and everything else you can think of. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) Uh, I'm sorry. I actually don't speak any Samoan. Are you really? You can't speak Samoan? No. Unfortunately not. Well, you know what? I'm so sad for you. (CHUCKLES) I am! I truly am. You know, I may be a fruit cake, but I'm really proud. I tell people I'm from Samoa. Don't lose that. And I feel really sorry for you, cos you don't know what you're really missing. (RELAXING MUSIC) Oh, you're one of those 'plastic' ones, then. (LAUGHS) Are you really? You can't speak Samoan? I found that interview really confronting. I think I'm quite honest when it comes to my disconnection. I know that I don't know enough. When she spoke in Sa, I felt like it was something I should know and I should be a part of, and it's a feeling I've had for a very long time. This is a real chance for me to discover more about my Samoan heritage, so I've decided it'd be really cool to make a documentary about what it means to be a Samoan New Zealander. Finding out what it means to be Samoan isn't gonna be easy. I'm going to have to find out what it means to me and not just to other people. I want that to be shown through the documentary. (UPBEAT MUSIC) So, I'm starting my documentary by find out how people stay connected to their Samoan culture. Tonight I'll be interviewing a Samoan dance group with my friend Basia. She's gonna help me film. We're gonna go meet the Tat-o` Tatau` Are they Tatau? 'Au', 'oh'. Tatau. Nah, cos 'oh' would be too Maori, wouldn't it? Yeah. 'Oh.' It's Tat-au. It'd be 'au'. We're gonna go meet the... Tatau Dance Group. (LAUGHS) (BOTH LAUGH) Cut you off. (RHYTHMIC DRUMMING) (MAN GRUNTS) (MAN GRUNTS) (MAN GRUNTS) How do you keep your cultural connections alive in New Zealand? I think to me personally, dancing. The reason why I joined the group is to continue who I am and to find that connection, like, out of Samoa. Like, we come here, we strive for better living, but doesn't mean that we forget where we come from. Keeping it alive, I'd say for me personally, is the language, also the food. Mea'ai. Yeah, mea'ai. What does the Tatau Dance Group mean to you guys? To me, it's just one word ` family. This is not for us. You know, there's a future generation coming. We wanna continue with it, and that's where Tatau stands for ` continue the passion for Samoan culture. Have you danced before, brother? (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) Uh, no... I think the best way for you to experience is to come with us, and we'll show you. Have a little siva. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (TECHNO DANCE MUSIC) (CHUCKLES) CHANTING: One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. (CHANTING IN SAMOAN) (CHANTING CONTINUES) (RHYTHMIC DRUMMING) Oh, yep. (LAUGHS) (CHANTING CONTINUES) ALL: Hi. Uh, I lost it in the middle. Chahoo! Yeah! (CHEERING) (WHOOPING) What I found was it was actually pretty easy for these guys, because they already have a connection to their culture, and that's something I want but I don't really have yet. (LAID-BACK HIP-HOP MUSIC) I feel proud to be looking further into my Samoan side, and it all begins with my mum's dad, my grandfather. He was Samoan, but he never really showed that side of himself to us, and I wanna know why. I guess the best place to start would be with my mum. She knows a little more about how we lost touch with our roots, and she would be good to find out what it was like with Grandad back then. (DOG BARKS) Mum, say hi. Hi. Hi. (LAUGHS) What's up? What questions do you wanna ask? So, with Grandad, how come there's a bit of, like, a disconnect between our Island siding? The idea way back then ` cos they were, like, the first influx of Pacific Island families to come through` people to come through ` was to fully assimilate into the New Zealand culture, so they didn't teach us the language, because they wanted us to be educated in the palagi way so that we could be` you know, so that we could grow up and get good jobs and then support them financially, things like that, but it did have a detrimental effect on us. We always kind of found that we were on the outer. I think that's, like, a huge factor for me, is that when it comes to my Samoan side, I don't really feel like that's really part of my identity, and I do know I wanna learn more about myself and more about us. Yeah, Ig, I think that that's a really good idea, cos it won't just be for you; it'll be for me and my siblings as well, and it'll resolve a lot of issues that we had when we were growing up, you know, and it will give us, like, a sense of belonging too,... yeah, and peace,... I think. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Speaking to my mum has made me realise that making this documentary is about so much more than just connecting to my Samoan roots. It's also about inspiring my whole family, and that's a massive responsibility. (HIP-HOP MUSIC) I'm here at the Pacific Education Centre. I've decided to take up some Samoan language courses. This is an awesome opportunity to get perspectives for my documentary and for myself to start learning the basics of Samoan language. So, tonight, we wanna look at a topic called 'faasinomaga', 'faasinomaga' or 'identity'. And the questions that you want to ask yourself is ` oai au? 'Who am I?' So if we can imagine that this is you here, then obviously, above you are... your parents. Yeah? Above them are their parents. Above them are their parents also. It's important that you know all those different bits, because all those different bits make up you. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) Everyone belongs to a family. Your family belongs to a village. Your village belongs to a district, and the district belongs to the whole of Samoa or the country. (POP MUSIC) So, (CHUCKLES) this is my family tree,... and as you can see, it's quite bare. That's because I know next to nothing about my grandad's family ` his gafa, or his genealogy. It shows I've got quite a bit of research to do. (UPBEAT, PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) So, Grandad left Samoa in the '50s,... and what he did is he gave his kids what he believed was the best opportunity they could have, but in doing so, it's sacrificed my uncles' and aunties' connection to the Samoan culture, and what I'm setting out to do is try and reclaim that identity. So I'm about to meet my Auntie Margaret, who is my grandad's first cousin. Hey, Auntie. BOTH: Mwah. So, what was Grandad's mum's name? Telesia. Your great-grandfather's father name Masoe. His older brother name Ioane, and then the sister name Valelia. His other brother name Sefo, and the sister name Malia. The young brother name Kalolo. Are there any of that generation left? Or is it all gone now? No. No, all gone. So, do you remember what was it like back in the islands? It was paradise. (BOTH CHUCKLE) People in the island, they live free like... free like birds. (CHUCKLES) My father is your great-grand-uncle. He was a fisherman. So every time your grandfather comes, he likes going fishing with him, with my father. So that was the life in the island ` was very simple life, not like these days. (LAUGHS) Yeah, Auckland's a bit different. (LAUGHS) Is there, like, any memory you have of Grandad? Oh, yes, a lot of memories ` a nice man, good man. Was Grandad alone when he arrived? Yeah, he came alone, just by himself. Was it hard for him? I think in a way, it was hard, because was no family. Mm. And I think he was happy he got the free life. (CHUCKLES GENTLY) He had lots of girlfriends, so when I came, he was already married, and they already had seven kids, which I was surprised, but anyway,... (CHUCKLES) ...it was nice to meet a big family. Thanks heaps, Auntie. So, I just wanna ask you ` could you help me get the family together? Cos I would like to show the documentary to everyone, basically. A get-together? Yeah, a get-together. That's no problem, Iggy. I can do that for you. Is there going to be any taro and palusami ` food? CHUCKLES: We'll see. (HIP-HOP MUSIC) Auntie is hilarious, but I hope she can organise the family, because we don't really get to see each other as much as we should, and I'm finding that this documentary is becoming more and more about my family, and I'm really keen to show them what I've learnt, but I'm not done yet, so I gotta get going. (UPBEAT POP MUSIC) The Pasifika Cultural Centre is holding a Samoan kava ceremony. I'm right out of my comfort zone, because I have no idea what's gonna happen, but they've given me some lines to say. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) (CHUCKLES) It's quite nerve-racking. Like, I don't wanna screw up or be disrespectful, and I'm interested to find out what the kava tastes like. (CHUCKLES) MAN: The 'ava ceremony is the most formal way that we can welcome guests. (SPEAKS SAMOAN LOUDLY) There's a hierarchy. People sit in specific places. The right side, that is reserved for the host. The front will be the orators. They are the ones that do the talking. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) When you take your drink, you need to say some comments about bringing some good blessings upon the day. (SPEAKS SAMOAN LOUDLY) (SPEAKS SAMOAN) (MEN AGREE) (APPLAUSE) Last night was really good. I didn't say it perfectly, but it was cool, and I'm really proud of myself. We got some great stuff for the documentary. Doing it, though, has given me an idea. I think I want a proper Samoan introduction for when I present my documentary. I feel like I'm ready for the challenge. (MELLOW POP MUSIC) 'What do you think are the most important Samoan values to you?' So, I'm just doing the finishing touches on my documentary. My key motivation for all of this is my family, and my Auntie Margaret has confirmed that the whole family are keen to get together and see what I've made, and I'm really glad with how it's come out. I mean, it is weird watching myself back and looking at everything I've done, but it also showed me how much I've learnt about my culture, about my family, and I'm really excited to get it done and, well, present it. It's super important to me to present this with a proper Samoan introduction, and totally putting myself on the spot by deciding to speak Sa, so I've decided to get some professional help from Henry, a language tutor. This is the last thing I need to do before I can present the film. OK, so, just give us a picture ` who will be present at the presentation? Uh, at the moment, it's just my family, so... OK. No, like, dignitaries of some sort, like a director of a movie company or anything like that? No. No. Just straight family? Just` yeah. OK. Straight family. Cos then, that just puts everything` it makes things simple. Mm. The whole formality, we don't have to go through, yet we still have to use certain respectful terms. Yep. And it brings the space nice and close. OK. Iggy, I think that we're ready to go. We can start writing. Yeah, sure. Cool. Like you said, it's only your family involved, so I wanna break it down to four main areas. So that's just the first acknowledgment ` 'Glory to God. 'We have reached, or we reach this day, made it here happy.' Second one ` acknowledge Mum and Dad and siblings. Yeah? Yeah. Wanna give it a go? Pretend I'm family and then, you know, I can give you a few pointers before we finish up. Yeah, sure. Now, don't worry. You'll be fine. You'll be fine. (CHUCKLES) You'll be fine. OK. (CLEARS THROAT) (LAUGHS) OK. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) (CLEARS THROAT, SPEAKS SAMOAN) (BOTH CHUCKLE) Talofa, Mum. Talofa, Dad. Malo le soifua. Honestly, you sound like a reporter; you know, you're reporting the news. (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) Serious. Try not to just` This is the part where you wanna express. You're probably looking at your parents, and they're gonna hear you speak Samoan for the first time. They're gonna be crying, you know, when you look at them. What's wrong? My parents don't cry. (BOTH LAUGH) God, that'd be weird! Oh, well, be prepared for it, cos you never know, you know, and all of those will be reasons for you to speed up, but, you know, my advice is, regardless of the crying and all the tears, just take your time; be calm, cool and collected. (EXHALES) OK. (CLEARS THROAT, LAUGHS) So, now I've got the thought of my parents crying. Um... Learning this one is gonna be a lot tougher than what I had to learn for the kava ceremony. That was, like, one part of this, whereas this is five different parts, and learning it off by heart is gonna be super, super difficult. So, I'm excited I've finally got the documentary ready to be presented, but now I need to go practise. (GRUNTS SOFTLY) (MELLOW MUSIC) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) (HIP-HOP MUSIC) WOMAN: When you're ready, Ig. WOMAN: Get all the laughs out. Yeah. (CHUCKLING) OK. (EXHALES SHARPLY) Come on, Iggy. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) (CHUCKLES) WOMAN: You got it. You got it. WOMAN WHISPERS: There's Grandad. (SPEAKS SAMOAN) Talofa lava, Iggy. (CHUCKLES) (SPEAKS SAMOAN) (APPLAUSE) Good boy, Ig. Well done, Ig. It's been a really good learning experience ` learning more about our family, about where we're from, and I know I'm not the only one of our generation that would like to explore that side. Thanks, everyone, for coming. I hope you enjoy what I've made. TV: 'Coming to terms with knowing who knowing who I am is something I really wanna look into. WOMAN: Aw. 'By learning more about Grandad and where he's from, I can... Oh, look at him. '...more identify with Samoa as one of my homes. (CHUCKLES) 'I guess the best place to start would be with my mum.' TV: 'Cos it won't just be for you. It'll be for me and my siblings as well, 'yeah, and it will give us a sense of belonging and peace.' (DRUMBEAT PLAYS) (SNIFFLES) MAN ON TV: Have you danced before, brother? (LAUGHTER) TV: 'What do you think are the most important Samoan values to you? TV: 'To keep the family together. The family is the most important. 'What do you think Grandad would think of what I'm doing? 'Oh, he'll be very proud. 'He will be very proud.' WOMAN: Yeah. MAN: Oh, Ig! (APPLAUSE, LAUGHTER) (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) That was really lovely. WOMAN: Yeah. We've always thought to do something, and we never did. We might not speak the language. We might be 'plastic' Samoans,... But we understand the values. ...but we understand the values that our parents gave us, which is our family and to stay together. Yeah, to stay together and the importance of it. The seven of us ` we're still all together. Dad didn't have the opportunities that maybe Iggy's got now. Mm. This is what Dad probably would have been doing. He would be really, really proud of what Iggy has accomplished here. Mm. So` Just like the rest of us are. I see it as, like, you doing it on, like, behalf of all of us as well. MAN: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it was good to see you, like, real awkward. (LAUGHTER) Like, it would help all of us, cos we're all pretty awkward, anyway, and the reason we haven't done it is cos I guess we're slightly afraid. Yeah. So you've made the first steps, so if, you know... As the baby as well. That's why I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, why haven't I done this? 'I might as well step up and come do it too.' (SNIFFLES) I feel very proud of... Yeah. Hard out. Thanks, Dad. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Hearing what everyone said about my documentary was really heartwarming. I felt very honoured by how touched my family were, and by what it meant to them ` how it's sort of like a first step for a lot of us, especially my cousins. Hopefully we can build from it. TEARFULLY: Wish your grandfather was here. Thank you. Keep up with` Gonna help you with your Samoan a little. (CHUCKLES) Still need lots of help. Just a little bit of pronunciation. CHUCKLES: Yeah. Reconnecting with my identity has been really important, because this isn't really about me, but it's about the larger me, being my family. At the start of this journey, my connection to my Samoan culture was really weak. I think the biggest change for me is the sense of belonging. After learning so much through this journey, I feel like I am a Samoan. Or not feel like ` I am a Samoan. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Captions by Julie Taylor. Edited by Shrutika Gunanayagam. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017 Supporting local content so you can see more of New Zealand on air.