How Bizarre - The Story of an Otara Millionaire

In 1997 a New Zealand single shot to the top of the music charts in the United States. How Bizarre takes a look behind the curtain at the man who sang it, Pauly Fuemana. This excerpt explores Fuemana's early life and part-Niuean ancestry, and the success of timeless Kiwi anthem 'How Bizarre'. The Otara Millionaires Club (OMC) single hit the top ten in 15 countries, topping the charts in the United States, Australia and NZ. Stuart Page's documentary explores how Fuemana stood out from the crowd, and includes interviews with family and colleagues, including his wife Kirstine, mother Olivia and musical maestro Alan Jansson.

...he was from Otara; Otara has always been seen as the Bronx, you know, a place without flowers ... he took everything to a new level, because he had everything going for him: because he was very handsome, and he didn't look Polynesian. He had the moves, he was outspoken, but he was also a really good writer.

– Niuean-born artist and writer John Pule on Pauly Fuemana

Key Cast & Crew

Alan Jansson

Subject

Pauly Fuemana

Subject, Additional Camera Operator

Fred Renata

Producer, Cinematographer

William Grieve

Producer

Colleen Brennan

Sound Mix, Sound Recordist

Stuart Page

Director, Editor, Additional Camera Operator