Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 6

The screen sector in Aotearoa has exploded with Pasifika content in the last 10 years - made mostly by Pasifika women!

This years Women In Film & Television NZ Awards saw 6 Moana women finalists across different categories: 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS WINNERS

Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa: Hinterland Woman To Watch Award 2024

Ashlee Fidow: Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award 2024

Ngaire Fuata - Warner Bros. Discovery Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry 2024

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These are a few of the Pasifika women who are making their mark on screens big and small in Aotearoa. These include our tuakana producers and directors who have made stories for Pasifika audiences across digital, film and TV mediums in both drama and factual content.…more

From Security Guard, to a featuring artist. ROM3 has come a long way in his unlikely journey into the music industry. 

Originally from Long Beach, CA, and raised in Lakewood, WA, ROM3 considers Washington his home. Little did he know that his life would take a dramatic turn when he started working as a security guard, eventually leading him to collaborate with none other than NBA Youngboy.

Rome's initial foray into the world of music wasn't intentional. One day, in a lighthearted moment, he jokingly offered to be the American rapper, NBA Youngboy's singer. 

“When I first started working for him, I asked him if he needed a singer but I was just saying it as a joke because I had that thought in me that I’m just his security“ 

Never imagining that this jest would set off a chain of events that would change his life forever. Despite being surrounded by co-workers who hesitated to visit the artist's studio, ROM3 took the initiative to explore NBA Youngboy's creative space and, in doing so, discovered a new passion.…more

Jason Momoa was spotted today filming stunts in Auckland - it's suspected that today's filming was for the new Minecraft film currently in Production.

Credit: Louisa Tipene Opetaia 

In the heart of South Auckland, a new theatrical force is emerging, ready to redefine the narrative of Pasifika performing arts.

Enter ‘Strictly Brown,’ co-founded by Leki Jackson-Bourke and Saale Ilaua. The pair, both former teachers of Marcellin College, decided to ditch their full-time teaching jobs and go on a creative journey to educate, empower, and entertain Pasifika youth through performing arts.

Their debut production, "Pring It On," a parody of the modern classic American cheerleading film "Bring It On," is set against the backdrop of Polyfest, known to be world’s largest Secondary School’s Pasifika Cultural Festival.

The story unfolds at "South Auckland Grammar School," offering a dra-medy exploring identity, cultural clashes, teenage love, and the quest for authenticity.

The founders of Strictly Brown, Leki and Saale, are not new faces in the artistic realm.…more

After taking film festivals across the world by storm, Tongan Filmmakers Luciane Buchanan and Vea Mafileo are now eyeing out the Oscars! Their short film “Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue” has been winning hearts everywhere it screens, and now the pair are gearing up for their biggest milestone yet.

Jason Momoa has officially joined the project as an executive producer, supporting Buchanan’s script and performance and strengthening the film’s Pacific Islander creative leadership. The short has also been officially submitted for Academy Awards consideration in the Live Action Short category, pushing the team toward their biggest milestone yet. Momoa joins Frankie Adams as part of the producing team.

Interact with the video below to help spread the word!

The film’s latest achievement marks another milestone. Momoa praised the film’s heart and cultural grounding, saying “Pacific Islander stories carry a depth, spirit, and ancestral connection that deserve to be seen and celebrated. Luciane’s work in Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue is a beautiful example of that, honest, vulnerable, and rooted in heritage.…more

The talented, young and ambitious dynamic creative duo - Leki Jackson-Bourke and Saale Ilaua launch their the newly formed arts company - Strictly Brown with all the noise of a world premiere. For the brown by the brown, Pring It On brings the comedy, drama and moves to the Māngere Arts Centre for five shows only, from Jan 31 - Feb 3, 2024.

Pring It On is a parody of the popular American cheerleading film, Bring It On (2000). Set against the backdrop of Polyfest, the story shines lights on the behind the scenes dramas of preparing for the world’s largest Secondary School’s Pacific Dance Festival.

When Penina auditions for the Samoan Cultural group all she wants to do is dance. But her new ways don’t meet with the approval of the girl boss - Becky.…more

Hawaiian actress Auli'i Cravalho (who plays Janis 'Imi'ike) sits down with our Coco Correspondent, Kristian Fanene Schmidt to talk all things 'fetch' in the upcoming musical film, 'Mean Girls.'

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Interviewer: Kristian Fanene Schmidt
Editor: Laura McBeath
Talent: Auli'i Cravalho

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

"I don't crave it as much as I'm called to it." Jason Momoa breaks down his tattoos. From the "On the Roam" arm tattoo he got with his team to his signature shark-tooth head tattoo, the actor shares the stories behind his ink.

Jason Momoa returns as Aquaman in the sequel to the highest-grossing DC film of all time: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all.

This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance.

Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

Jason Momoa recently appeared on the 'Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon', where he talks about hosting Saturday Night Live for a second time, working to stop single-use plastic with his water company Mananalu Pure Water and starring in 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.'