John Mairai

Tefana Tufaimea is a figure from the commune of Faa'a, on the island of Tahiti. He is the champion of traditional Maohi sports in the aito category (stone lifting, fruit carrier race and canoe). He is also a dancer and Mister Mini Heiva. Portrait of a discreet man who deserves to be known.

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Tahiti, an island where people dance every night. We rehearse for the Heiva festivities, a dance competition where large troupes compete each July. The film follows a young girl from Raiatea, Calicia Taufa, second prize for best dancer at Heiva i Tahiti 2017, filmed day by day from the first rehearsals to the synod of the Maohi Protestant church in Taravao after the Heiva.

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A Heiva in Tahiti with the poet John Mairai as troop leader.

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Semetua was Sem Manutahi, master of ceremonies and central figure of the "Tipaerui Valley" association. His role in the association was to find legends, and to set up traditional activities or ceremonies, in the upper valley of Tipaerui in the heart of the island of Tahiti. "This valley has a soul, a spirit that we always respect when we come. He said. It is animated by the spirit of the Mamaia. These people that we rarely met, that we feared and respected also, in the days of royalty. Some say they were healers, others say they were seers." Speaker on several occasions for troops at Heiva i Tahiti, master of ceremonies for the Tipaeui Valley association, Semetua has made his voice resonate on numerous occasions, to tell stories, protect a valley or quite simply defend his convictions.

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This historical drama by Henri Hiro brings to life the majestic enthronement of a young king on the sacred marae Arahurahu in Paea, Tahiti. Set entirely in one place and one moment in time, the film immerses the viewer in the intricate rituals of an ancient Polynesian ceremony, portrayed with all its traditional splendor. Over 200 performers—including actors, dancers, musicians, and extras—contribute to this powerful reimagining of the past. The film features choreography by the acclaimed Coco Hotahota and music performed by the group Tereia de Penina.

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In 1939 a French policeman (Jacques Martin) is forgotten on a Polynesian island, during an administrative tour. When war broke out, he knew nothing about it and it was only when a German ship called that he learned of the gravity of the events. On the tone of comedy, this drama describes the relationship between this ex-policeman still imbued with administrative stupidity and the naive but joyful population of the island. The comedy prevails over the drama and the gendarme will not take long to acquire the joie de vivre of the natives.

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