Red, White & Brass
This hilarious true story sees Tongan rugby superfans trick their way to the Rugby World Cup by forming a marching band — despite having never played. Executive produced by Taika Waititi.
After failing miserably in his efforts to secure tickets to the much-anticipated Tonga-France match, Maka (John-Paul Foliaki) rushes head-first into his last resort. He offers to provide a Tongan brass band for the pre-match entertainment. The thing is, the band doesn’t exist and Maka and an assortment of friends and family, most with no musical experience, have four weeks to build a credible band and routine. This with no instruments but plastic bottles and tin cans, and Tongan community elders staunchly against this potentially embarrassing stunt. But Maka is nothing if not persistent, and along this remarkable journey he gains a great deal more than tickets to a game.Join us at the post-screening party Red, White & Brass: Scrum at the Hub.
Special Guests
Damon Fepulea’i
Director
Damon is an Aotearoa-born director of Samoan and European heritage. In 2002, Fepulea’i wrote and directed Watermark, a short film that tells the story of a young girl who is caught by the rising tide while out spearfishing. The film debuted at Rotterdam Film Festival and has won awards for Best Film, Actress and Cinematography. Red, White and Brass is Fepulea’i’s feature film debut.
Members of the film team (Red, White & Brass)
In attendance will be cast members John Paul (JP) Foliaki, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Ilaisaane Green, Michael (Mikey) Falesui, and Lupeti Finau; as well as Tevita Finau and Valeti Finau – parents of Halaifonua Finau (writer & producer; and the man whose true story inspired the film).
- Program Strand
- Special Presentations
- Year
- 2023
- Classification
- PG
- Country
- New Zealand
- Language
- In English and Tongan with English subtitles
- Director
- Damon Fepulea’i
- Producer
- Georgina Conder, Morgan Waru, Halaifonua Finau
- Cast
- John-Paul (JP) Foliaki, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Michael (Mikey) Falesiu, Onetoto Ikavuka, Lupeti Finau, Ilaisaane Green, Lotima Pome’e, Haanz Fa’avae
- Screenwriter
- Halaifonua Finau, Damon Fepulea’i
- Cinematographer
- Andrew McGeorge
- Editor
- Damon Fepulea'i, Ben Powdrell, Paul Maxwell
- Premiere
- Australian Premiere
- Genre
- Biography, Comedies, Sport
- Company Credits
- Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment
