We acknowledge Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF are based.
We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Red, White & Brass

Directed by Damon Fepulea’i
2023
New Zealand
85 minutes
PG
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.
Red, White & Brass is probably the most tears-on-your-cheeks, feel-good film you are going to see this year. Just go.
Graeme Tuckett, Stuff
Red, White & Brass is a story of family, friendship, and fearlessly representing what you believe in. It’s a heart-warming and uplifting watch that everyone will enjoy.
Isaac Chen, NZ Herald

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).

Tickets

Fri 9 Jun
6pm
State Theatre
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Past Event Cancel
Sat 10 Jun
8pm
Casula Powerhouse
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Past Event Cancel
Sun 11 Jun
6pm
Ritz Randwick - Cinema 1
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Past Event Cancel
Fri 16 Jun
6:15pm
Hayden Orpheum Cremorne - Cinema 4
Wheelchair
Past Event Cancel
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
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