Hi, I'm an African-American woman from Detroit,MI, who just rented this film and loved it to death--I actually was laughing out loud at one point---the cast was so engaging and well put together that I couldn't help but like it! I'd never heard of the movie,just picked it off the shelf because I thought it was an Asian-American film. I was surprised to find out that it was actually a New Zealand film--which was fine with me because I love foreign films. To me, it was hilarious to hear New Zealanders of Samoan descent speaking African-American slang (and very accurately,BTW---here in Detroit,not everybody,but a LOT of black folks actually talk EXACTLY like that,mainly because we're the majority population here,so it's pretty much the norm--it's not just something everybody gets from hearing rap tunes). Plus it's just refreshing to see a film from New Zealand that's not focused on white people for a change! I like Australian/New Zealand films anyways! (I have already seen others,like UTU,ONCE WERE WARRIORS,THE FRINGE DWELLERS,and I have to rent out WHALE RIDER again so I can finally finish it,and yeah, I've also seen some of Peter Jackson's early horror films.)
Loved the rap tune (I Do Believe) at the beginning of the film--is the soundtrack available in the U.S. yet,if anyone knows? I read a long time ago that New Zealand has a thriving hip-hop scene,so that's another reason I liked the film---it was cool/hip/fresh without really trying to be, and realistic without the BS Hollywood-contrived situations--that's what made it so damn funny to me! I'd love to but on DVD if I had the chance and would love to see more films like this--any recomendations? It's a damn shame this flick hasn't gotten more of a wider release here in the States, but at least it's available for rent! Plus it didn't rely on lame,stupid jokes about bodily functions that a lot of American comedies have come to rely on in the last 10 years or so,and on the top of that,the Magasiva brothers (who played the characters Michael and Sione) are both hot! (Sorry,but the white boy was funny as hell---and even though that stereotype of the white person wanting to be "down" was obviously exaggerated for comic purposes,yes,there ARE white/Arab folks here in the D that act and speak like that,but that's usually because,if they grew up here they mainly grew up around black folks,depending on what part of the city they're from,so it's not just an affectation for them.
And about the representations of African-American in overseas media---it sounds like from what I've read so far on this post,all you get imported over there are the ghetto/shoot-'em-in-the-hood flicks and comedies---please don't take that as the sole representation of black people in the U.S.,period---even in the ghettos,a lot of us work,go to school,have kids and do what we need to do to get by in life,and all of us aren't in gangs either--a lot of us try avoid getting caught up in that gang/selling drugs as possible, which is hard when that's constantly going on in your 'hood.
Anyway I've been a hip-hop fan since age 12,and I hate how rap has just degenerated into nothing but a full-on advertisement for "bling,bitches,and grills" or being a member of some damn gang/or the so-called pimp lifestyle. I think it's all just bull***, for real. I remember back in the day when rap was serious (but fun) vehicle for instilling pride/the need for education in black youth (a good and recent book titled WHEN RAP MUSIC HAD A CONSCIENCE by Tayanna McQuillar discusses that very subject) and I've always enjoyed hearing the different and unique takes rappers from different countries around the world bring to their approach to hip-hop and the subjects they deal with. I hate the fact,however,that the worst aspects of American culture (not just AA culture,I'm emphasizing) are getting exported to other countries because a lot of those images are just created for a profit/audience that eats that s*** up like its the truth. Basically,don't believe everything you see about us black Americans in the exported media---the sad part is that there are black directors/producers making some of that BS. Search out examples of independent black American cinema that ain't about all that BS,like PARK DAY,MARRIAGE PREP--okay,these are late '90's indie flicks, but also check out LIFT,OUR SONG,etc.
To close out, I hope to see more engaging films made by/about people of color from the NZ! SAMOAN WEDDING (that's the American title) gets mad props in my book!
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