Sub-Cranium Feeling

The award-winning promo for King Kapisi's debut single is a family affair: bookended by shots of his two-year-old son, directed by his sister Sima and produced by another sister, Makerita. The song is a plea to his Samoan people to remember their pre-colonial past: “feed your kids not the church”. Filmed underwater at Wellington’s Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre, the video has islander Kapisi swimming through a sea of lava-lava. Made before Kapisi signed a record contract, the video won gongs at 1997’s BFM, Mai Time, and Flying Fish awards and a 2004 NZ On Air 1000 Music Video Celebration nod.

We knew that Bill needed to have a marketable, commercial image and, with Sub-Cranium we realised that he had to look good. We wanted to prepare him for his first release, to make sure that the image went well with the song.

– Sima Urale on her and her sister Makerita's part in this music video, Pavement

Key Cast & Crew

Sima Urale

Director

Makerita Urale

Producer

Jonathan Venz

Editor

Simon Baumfield

Camera