The Orator - O Le Tulafale

Tusi Tamasese’s first feature tells the story of a taro farmer (played by real life farmer Fa’afiaula Sagote) who finds the courage to stand tall for his family and culture, and stand up to sceptical villagers. Variety called it “compelling drama”. Though previous films (e.g. Flying Fox on a Freedom Tree) had told stories inspired by Samoan writers, The Orator was the first feature written and directed by a Samoan — and the first filmed in Samoan. When it debuted in September 2011 at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, it won a special jury mention in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) section.

At the beginning you see this unusual leading man and you grow to love him, his face, his strength, his suffering, his generosity, and you are there with him.

– Italian critic Maria Pia Fusco on The Orator, in an interview with The NZ Herald, 8 September 2011

Key Cast & Crew

Tusi Tamasese

Director, Writer

Catherine Fitzgerald

Producer

Fa'afiaula Sagote

As: Saili

Iota Tanielu

As: Poto

Salamasina Silivelia Mataia

As: Litia

Tausili Pushparaj

As: Vaaiga