Two cast members of the movie, “One Thousand Ropes,” urged fathers , husbands, boy friends and brothers to stop the violence.
Speaking before the crowd of close to 500 who attended the Wellington premiere of Tusi Tamasese’s latest movie, lead actor Tuiasau Uelese Petaia and supporting actor Beulah Koale gave similar messages.
Tuiasau stated in Samoan, “Let us make a change in our lives. I appeal to you especially those of us who are matais to use words instead of our fists.”
In One Thousand Ropes, Tuiasau plays Maea whom the 90 minute movie, all in the Samoan language with English subtitles, is about.
He is a former boxer and used his fists on his women.
Now older, he wants to reconcile and redeem himself with those he has wronged, including his children who have all left him.
As a traditional healer he uses his hands, which once delivered punches in the ring, and in the bedroom, to massage pregnant women and deliver their babies. su
Koale talked about his mother who continued to put up with violence and loved the man who was dishing it out.
He was in the delivery room for the birth of he and his partner’s first born, twin boys, and watched the pain that his wife went through to give life, while he was helpless.
He said we men are worthless.
Among the invitees at the Embassy Theater were men of influence from the Samoan community in Wellington, representing church, business and community organizations.
VIP guests include Samoa’s Head of State Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the director’s uncle, and Masiofo Filifilia, Sam
oa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Leasi Papalii Scanlan and member of Parliament Su’a William Sio,.
The film was financed with a a more than $1 million grant from the New Zealand Government.
At the Wellington premiere, New Zealand’s Minister of Arts Maggie Barry paid tribute to Director Tusi Tamasese.
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