Lea Tupu'anga Mother Tongue, directed by Vea Mafile'o (far right) is a short film that delves into cultural identity and language trauma told through the film's main character portrayed by Luciane Buchanan (standing second from left). Photo: Vea Mafile'o
A Tongan story has made it to one of the biggest film festivals in the world, Sundance.
The two Tongan-New Zealand filmmakers behind the short film 'Lea Tupu'anga Mother Tongue' explores cultural identity and language trauma, told through a young woman who struggles to reconnect with her Tongan heritage.
The film was selected out of 17-thousand applications to be screened at Sundance, which boasts of launching the careers of some of the greatest directors in the world.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon spoke with the film's director Vea Mafile'o and writer/actor Luciane Buchanan who are both at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA.
