Now in its ninth week since its release, feel good New Zealand film Red, White and Brass has reached over $1.4 million at the local box office and continues to play across Aotearoa. Producer and co-writer Halaifonua Finau is overwhelmed by the response to a story that’s close to home for him. “Greatness is in our [Tongan] DNA, so to be amongst the great New Zealand films is mean,” he said in a statement.
The film is inspired by the true story of a Tongan church community that forms a brass band, with no musical experience, as the pre-game entertainment in a desperate attempt to get tickets to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Tonga vs France match. Actor John-Paul Foliaki who plays Maka, the character inspired by Finau, leads the brass band and takes the audience through a roller-coaster journey to the rugby game.
The film has played at the Hawaii International Film Festival, to sold out audiences, the Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival. On June 22, Red, White and Brass will be released in Australia and across the Pacific region.
“I have been floored by the response to our community’s story and the māfana energy its created for so many. Greatness is in our DNA so to be amongst the great NZ films is mean!,” adds Finau.
Source: The Spin Off