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Tongan Ninja
Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 2002
Director Jason Stutter's collaborations with Jermaine Clement reached new realms of silliness with this martial arts take-off. The low budget romp from 2002 mines comedy from action cliches and laughable dubbing, as a kind-hearted Tongan (played by judo exponent Sam Manu) battles baddies after he arrives in Wellington. Co-writer Clement chews scenery as the lead villain, and adds his voice talents elsewhere. Clement's Conchord companion Bret McKenzie helps out on the musical front. NZ Herald reviewer Graham Reid rated Tongan Ninja "possibly one of the dumbest, funniest local films" to date.
Like Peter Jackson’s feature debut Bad Taste, Tongan Ninja was a privately funded, labour of love that took 18 months of weekends to shoot.– Writer James Croot on the film's low budget origins, Stuff, 11 March 2023
Key Cast & Crew
See all 46 credits
Produced by
Midnight Films
Acknowledgements
Made with post-production support from 2D Post
Music
Closing credits song 'Give It Up' performed by KC and the Sunshine Band, composed by Harry Wayne Casey and Deborah Carter
Theme song 'Tale of the Tongan Ninja' performed by Jemaine Clement, composed by Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, David Donaldson & Stephen Roche
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