Waka Moana
2007 / South Pacific
Director
James Frankham
Producer
James Frankham
Maori master carver Matahi Brightwell is constructing an 83-foot-long traditional sailing canoe that he will navigate by the stars from Tahiti to Peru, across 9500 kilometres of open ocean and against the prevailing wind and current. His voyage retraces the route pioneered by his forebears a thousand years ago and unravels one of the enduring mysteries of the blue continent that has vexed anthropologists for decades – did early Polynesians sail to South America, and if so, how?
Waka Moana is a riveting tale of identity and adventure in the wake of the great explorers. It dwells on the heritage of contemporary Polynesians and the determination required to physically retrace one’s own identity, and reclaim that of all Polynesians. The success of Matahi’s six-man crew will finally prove not only that the ancient Polynesians had the technology and expertise to make the journey, but that the spirit and knowledge has been preserved to this day in oral history.
This is a story of courage and determination; an observational documentary shot onboard the last traditional sailing canoe to be built in the Pacific recreating the longest and most difficult voyage ever undertaken by early Polynesians. It will cinematically capture the remaining traditions of canoe construction, months of struggle against the elements and the humour and heartbreak of life in an open boat on the high seas with only the stars to steer by. Waka Moana is history in the present tense.
For international sales enquiries please contact Executive Producer Susan MacKinnon on s.mackinnon@ozemail.com.au or phone +61407484451.
CONTACT
This film is protected by copyright. Please contact James Frankham to broadcast or non-theatrical rights for your region or to buy a DVD of the title for educational purposes.
james@splice.cc | +64 21 775423
