TANNA

Vanuatu, Australia, 2015, 100 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Martin Butler, Bentley Dean.

This is a story from Vanuatu, a story from the Yakel tribe, set in 1987, a story of a doomed romance.

The film is a co-production between Vanauatu and Australia, people of the island performing, Australians writing and directing after their experience in being with the tribes people.

Many audiences will be thinking of Romeo and Juliet as they watch this film, star-crossed lovers.

The film opens with a focus on two young girls, Selin, a sprightly young girl and her sister Wawa who is at the verge of her initiation into adulthood and, therefore, an arranged marriage. However, she is in love with another member of the tribe, a Hunter, Dain, who has been away from the tribe but has now returned. The couple elope, going away from the tribe to the rim of an active volcano in the centre of their island. Selin follows them and they declare that they will not return.

This leads to a state of warfare between the two tribes, Wawa having been promised to a man from a neighbouring tribe, continually antagonistic towards Yakel.

Following the Romeo and Juliet lead, the young couple are found dead, which leads to a cessation of hostilities, grief for those who have died, a challenge to the traditions of arranged marriages – with a final songs celebrating this transition to greater freedom for love amongst the people.

The Yakel tribe are proud that they have their customs, that they have resisted colonialism, that they have resisted Christianity, that they have resisted the lure of money, that they have kept to their old customs.

Actors and others involved in the film had not seen a film before this production and travelled overseas to be feted at the Venice film Festival, an extraordinary change of life that they had been used to. There is simplicity about the performances, and authentic feel about the people, and some spectacular photography, which means that a wide audience will enjoy the story, its romance and tragedy.

1. A film from Vanuatu? The island, the Yakel tribe, the terrain, the coast, the beaches, the village, forests, the volcano? Authentic atmosphere?

2. The acclaim for the film, overseas festivals?

3. An Australian production, working in Vanuatu, the particular perspectives and interpretation of the islanders, the history, customs?

4. The story of 1987? The colonial past of Vanuatu? The custom of arranged marriages, the challenge to this custom?

5. The islanders, resisting colonialism, relisting resisting Christianity, the lure of money? Customs? The opening and closing? The song about the chiefs, the arranged marriages, the need to change?

6. Traditions, the tribe, the role of men, presence of women, children? Of the tribes and hostilities? The role of the Chief? The role of the Shaman? Authorities?

7. The opening introduction to the family, Selin and Wawa, children, sisters, their parents, play and work? Selin, child, her energy, playing, the touch of mischief? Wawa? Work? Seeing Dain, following him, away from the group, his return to the tribe, love?

8. Wawa, her age, at the initiation ceremonies, with the women, at the pool, the return to the village, the arranged marriage?

9. Dain, his life, hunting, the love for Wawa, his return, the influence of his grandfather, obeying orders, courting Wawa? Love and intimacy?

10. The arranged marriage, the people from the other tribe, the ritual of agreement, Wawa and Dain running away? Going to the volcano? Their time together?

11. The volcano, the rim, the interiors, the lava? The couple at the volcano, Seiln following? The reaction of the tribe, the couple saying they would not return?

12. The decision, the tribes, enmity? The views of the warriors approaching? The couple, their love, the background of the poisonous mushrooms, eating them, their death?

13. Grief, the Shaman and his song, love, change in the customs?

14. Audiences thinking of Romeo and Juliet, the lovers, their age, deaths, their being carried down the mountain, the funeral, the grief, everybody gathering,
the song, and the change in the customs?

15. A dramatic reflection on traditions, customs, change, and personalising them?