Tala Pasifika - Talk of the Town

Tala Pasifika was a pioneering Pasifika drama series. Directed by actor Lani Tupu (Country GP), the award-winning Talk of the Town screened on TV One in 1996, alongside five other tales. Cindy (Henry Ah-Foo Taripo) is a fa'afafine who has grown up to become a cabaret performer. She breaks the fourth wall from her dressing room to tell her story, which begins in her youth when her father (Alvin Fitisemanu) is impressed by her culinary skills and assigns her to the role of family cook. In 1996 Taripo was named Best Actor at Canadian festival Rainmaker.

No sir, it's a lavalava. Remember the head master said we can wear a lavalava to school if it was nice and neat. You know, since there are so many of us Island boys here.

– Young Sione (Sani Muliaumaseali'i)

Key Cast & Crew

Lani Tupu

Director

Henry Ah-Foo Taripo

As: Cindy

Lisa Taouma

Writer

Alvin Fitisemanu

As: Cindy's Father

Lina Leilua

As: Cindy's Mother

Sani Muliaumaseali'i

As: Sione