O Le Tulafale
The Orator![](/media/filmstills/2013/native/20130249_1_ORG.jpg)
© New Zealand Film Commission
![](/media/filmstills/2013/native/20130249_1_ORG.jpg)
Fa'afiaula Sagote, Tausili Pushparaj
O Le Tulafale | The Orator by Tusi Tamasese
WSM/NZL 2011, NATIVe - Indigenous Cinema
© New Zealand Film Commission
![](/media/filmstills/2013/native/20130249_2_RWD_1380.jpg)
Fa'afiaula Sagote
O Le Tulafale | The Orator by Tusi Tamasese
WSM/NZL 2011, NATIVe - Indigenous Cinema
© Leon Narbey
![](/media/filmstills/2013/native/20130249_3_RWD_1380.jpg)
Tausili Pushparaj, Fa'afiaula Sagote
O Le Tulafale | The Orator by Tusi Tamasese
WSM/NZL 2011, NATIVe - Indigenous Cinema
© Anita Narbey
![](/media/filmstills/2013/native/20130249_4_RWD_1380.jpg)
Tusi Tamasese
O Le Tulafale | The Orator by Tusi Tamasese
WSM/NZL 2011, NATIVe - Indigenous Cinema
© Anita Narbey
Humble Saili is something of an outcast who lives with his beautiful wife and her daughter on the outskirts of the village. The neighbours threaten to take away the land where Saili’s father’s grave lies, while a family feud makes his life even more complicated. To restore harmony and earn the respect of those around him, Saili boldly takes on the role of village orator assigned to him by tradition. The ensuing battle of words develops a compelling dramatic momentum of its own; both winner and loser instinctively acknowledge the outcome. "My film shows my home, the way I remember it from my childhood", says Tusi Tamasese. His directorial debut combines a classic underdog narrative with the much-respected Samoan tradition of oratory. This is the first film to be made exclusively in Samoa and the Samoan language.
Additional information
![](/media/bilder/2013/boulevard_2013/14.2./140213_tg_0203_RWD_1380.jpg)
Catherine Fitzgerald
The Indigenous advisor co-curated the film programme.
O Le Tulafale · NATIVe · Feb 14, 2013