Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 7

We keep it Mafana with the minds and faces that brought you "Red, White & Brass".

The movie is about when Wellington Tongan superfan Maka (John Paul Foliaki) fails to secure tickets to a hometown Rugby World Cup match between France and Tonga, he reaches for...the nearest trumpet. Maka rallies his mates into a last minute marching brass band to represent Tonga at the big game. All inspired by a real-life story!

On this red carpet we speak to the actors, creators and audience on just how special this movie is!

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Credits:

Director: Shimpal Lelisi 

Camera: Mary Raela

Sound: Sefa Taouma 

Taika Waititi released a first glimpse of his 'Next Goal Wins' movie with the first promo poster and a new release date on his social media yesterday.

The movie follows the "world's worst soccer team" and its history making transgender player ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers in 2001. The team went on to lose their qualifying game against Australia by 31-0. 

The film is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison about Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen's efforts to lead the American Samoa national football team.

Michael Fassbender will star as Rongen, alongside Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Rhys Darby, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss. Filming began in Honolulu in November 2019.…more

Tongan actress Luciane Buchanan stars in Netflix thriller 'The Night Agent' which is currently #1 in both the USA and here in New Zealand.

Coco correspondent Kristian Fanene-Schmidt catches up with Luciane at a press junket in Los Angeles and they chat about what she loves about her character, being in Jason Momoa's 'Chief of War', Pacific films that inspire her and more

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Credits:

Interviewer - Kristian Fanene-Schmidt

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

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Thank you Netflix and Luciane 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

“Red, White & Brass” movie premiere ‘i Okalani Nu’u Sila on Wednesday 22nd March.

We caught up with a few stars of the film at the premiere which was released to the public today in New Zealand (Thursday 23rd March) and then caught some instant reactions after the premiere.

Support local, Support our Pasifika film makers & let us know what you loved about the movie.

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We love to see it!  Another Poly in Hollywood! 

Luciane Buchanan stars alongside Gabriel Basso in action movie 'The Night Agent' coming to Netflix on the 23rd of March. 

In the meantime check out the trailer above.

Now that the NFL season is over, football fans are already counting down to next year, but many in the entertainment industry are still buzzing over Rihanna’s halftime show spectacular.

Of the near 300 dancers involved in the Super Bowl performance, three were born and raised in Hawaii - Summer Waikiki, Dezmond Soliven & Sienna Lalau (Samoan heritage) 

They share with Hawai'i News Now their experience in the video above.

Click here for the full article 

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Sienna Lalau shared that this segment of choreography for the show was her favourite - 

Samoan choreographer Parris Goebel discusses choreographing Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show on Good Morning America.

Plus in case you missed it, an ad she choreographed also appeared during the Super Bowl coverage.  She discusses that here and if you haven't seen it you can check it out in the video below - 

It's the final piece of the Fast & Furious franchise and along the way one of our Poly super stars came & went getting his own spinoff (The Rock with Hobbs & Shaw) and now another Poly super star joins the family for one last ride.

Find out who in the video above 

Warning:  Explicit Language

As part of Buzzfeed Australia's Pacific Islander week, Lakz (Tongan Content Creator), Kween Kong (Samoan Drag Queen), Bigs685 (Samoan rapper & actor), Sela Vai (Tongan choreographer), Voli K (Fijian Singer/Song writer) and A.Girl (Maori Singer/Song writer) team up to answer a few questions.

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From the producers of 'The Breaker Upperers', 'Cousins' and 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', 'Red, White & Brass' is the debut feature film for director Damon Fepulea’i who co-wrote with co-producer Halaifonua (Nua) Finau.

The film stars John-Paul Foliaki (Popstars), Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (The Panthers), Ilaisaane Green (Brutal Lives), Onetoto Ikavuka, Mikey Falesiu (Toke), Lupeti Finau, Lotima Pome (Under the Vines), and Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson (Savage).

The 4 track EP which features original music from Three Houses Down and a few of the cast is available now -  Click here  

Tongans are renowned for their enthusiastic support of their sporting teams; decorating their cars, houses and faces with the Tongan flag.  Inspired by a true story, Red, White & Brass showcases this māfana energy. 

The underdog story follows a community of Tongans who form a brass band as the pre-game entertainment in a desperate attempt to get tickets to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Tonga vs France game.

“The māfana energy in the film is infectious,” says Fepulea’i.…more