Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 3

World-renowned live Drum&Bass group Shapeshifter, has released their latest single, 'Amokura' to celebrate Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week 2023.

Lead singer Paora Apera, also known as P. Digsss, sits down with us to share his childhood growing up in the Cook Islands and how the song 'Amokura' came to be.

‘Amokura’ is a big electronic, jungle, island drum & bass track, synergizing Shapeshifter's energy and sonic palette with Cook Island's traditional drums.

The single honours the rhythms of the Cook Islands; the pate drums were recorded in Rarotonga by P. Digsss’ brother and cousins about five years ago when the Shapeshifter lads became transfixed by the Cook Island rhythms on a trip to Rarotonga. At the time, there wasn’t a plan for the recordings, and they sat in the archives until the idea came up to record a Cook Island Māori song - inspired by The Waiata Anthems movement.

The vocals are in te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani.…more

Prime Video have released the official trailer for the Amazon Original series, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart starring our very own Frankie Adams alongside Sigourney Weaver, Leah Purcell and more ...

Based on Australian Holly Ringland’s best-selling debut novel, the seven-part series tells the emotionally compelling story of Alice Hart.

Samoan actress Frankie Adams plays Candy Blue - Alice’s aunt, who is also a flamboyant character with lots of swagger and her own troubles to deal with.

Three of the seven episodes will be released on the 4th of August, with one episode rolling out weekly until the series finale in September. 

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Watch our Q&A with Frankie here as we go behind the scenes with her on her leading roles in the CoconetTV original series 'Teine Sa - The Ancient Ones'

Check out the latest film Tongan actress Luciane Buchanan is starring in, out now in New Zealand theatres.

The film was inspired by a real life situation, when US based Writer/Director Scott Walker got stranded in New Zealand during the pandemic and he & his family had to move into their friend's remote beach house that was built on top of an enormous old water tank. When they ran low on water, Scott had to climb down into the tank, “all the time in its blackness I couldn’t stop thinking, what if there were creatures living in there that were going to come out at night and eat my family!?” he explains.

This experience and the nightmares that followed acted as the inspiration for The Tank.

Synopsis for 'The Tank' - After mysteriously inheriting an abandoned coastal property, Ben (Matt Whelan) and his family (Luciane plays his wife) accidentally unleash an ancient, long-dormant creature that terrorized the entire region — including his own ancestors — for generations.

'HAMILTON: The Musical' begins its first ever international tour in Aotearoa, direct from a stellar run across Australia on Friday 26th May and runs through until the 11th of June at Spark Arena.

We sat down for a chat with three of the Pasifika cast members - Elandrah Eramiha, Iosefa Laga'aia and Kirrah Amosa who share what their characters are like as well as what it's like having to play multiple characters, what it means for them to be able to represent our people on such a big stage, their favourite track to perform and more.

Don't miss out - Get your tickets to the show here  

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Credits: 

Director - Destiny Momoiseā

Camera Operator - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Research/Consultant - Talia Momoiseā

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Additional Footage & photos provided from Hamilton The Musical & 818 Publicity 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

American Idol winner has been doing the talk show rounds appearing on Live Kelly and Mark as well as on Good Morning America hosted by Michael Strahan with fellow finalist Megan Danielle.

Meanwhile his new single 'I'll be seeing you' hit number 1 after the finale on the iTunes charts.

He released the track on the 19th of May and on Sunday prior to the finale, James Blunts 'Monsters' held the top spot but moved to number 2 when 'I'll be seeing you' reached the number 1 spot overnight after Iam won.

Watch him sing the track in the American Idol finale here - 

In Tautua: Inked in Service, RNZ Social Media Journalist Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei undergoes the transformative process of receiving the traditional Samoan malofie, also known as the tatau.

Through vivid storytelling and intimate interviews, the documentary unveils the evolving role of the tatau in a changing world, showcasing its enduring power as a testament to Samoan heart and spirit.

Sitanilei says the tatau has long been a shielded part of Samoan culture.

Tautua: Inked in Service is a celebration of heritage, tradition, and dedication to family and community and will be released on Sunday 28th May to coincide with the start of Samoan Language Week.

Haku Creative rallies the community in Hawai'i to show their support for Kahuku's hometown boy Iam Tongi!

Singers (including past Hawaiian American Idol contestants), artists, actors, community leaders, and Iam's family put together this video to campaign for America's vote for their guy Iam. 

Young Samoan actress Eliana Su'a is set to star in new Disney series 'Pretty Freakin Scary' which premieres on 15th of June on the Disney Channel and then the next day on Disney+

The series centres around 14yr old Frankie Ripp (played by Eliana) who had the perfect life - a great family, annoying little brother, a popular boyfriend and a BFF she could always count on. However, her life takes a surprising turn after an unfortunate incident.  After some heated debate in the Underworld with the Grim Reaper herself, Frankie is forced to navigate life with her new Underworld guardians, Pretty and Scary...in the most challenging setting of all…Middle School. Pretty freekin scary, huh?

14yr old Eliana is half Samoan, half Latina and originally got her start in theatre before progressing into TV and film.  Her first role was in 'Simmer' but it was her major breakout role as Dwayne Johnson's on-screen daughter in the blockbuster feature film "FAST & FURIOUS: PRESENTS HOBBS & SHAW" that catapulted her into the spotlight.…more

Brace yourself, the trailer for horror film TALK TO ME has launched ahead of its nationwide cinema release on July 27.

The film follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and opens the door to the spirit world, forcing them to choose who to trust: the dead or the living. 

After an international premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2023, the cinematic and authentic horror that fully delivers on genre and scares, sparked a bidding war and was picked up by 2023 Oscar winning studio A24.

Samoan actor Chris Alosio stars in it alongside the likes of Miranda Otto (Lord of the RIngs) and Otis Dhanji (Aquaman) 

The soundtrack also featurs Onehunga hip hop collective SWIDT alongside tracks from ONEFOUR, Sia, The Kid Laroi and more.

Peep the trailer for the movie above ...

After breaking the curse of his ancestors, and saving his daughter Lupe from the clutches of an ancient spirit, Soane now faces another battle.  The spirit world has come calling again for revenge on the Valu family for what happened 500 years ago.  

When an earthquake hits, Soane mysteriously disappears from his home and ends up in the underworld, Pulotu’aka’aka; where restless spirits go. This is the Tokotaha Tala Fekau’s world. But Soane is not alone, his youngest son, Tomasi is also pulled into the dark abyss with him. They become separated and are left helpless and alone.

Ben and Lupe have no idea what has taken place and are left to pick up the pieces and support their Aunty ‘Ofa. When they realise Soane and Tomasi are not at home, they are desperate to find them. A surprise visitor distracts their efforts but it’s when the Tokotaha Faito’o (Healer) turns up at their house asking what they have done that they realise something sinister has happened.…more