The Land Has Eyes (2004)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- "The Land Has Eyes" is a drama about Viki, (introducing Sapeta Taito) a young South Pacific Islander who redeems her family's name by exposing the secrets of her island's most powerful and important people. Shamed by her village for being poor and the daughter of a wrongly convicted thief, Viki is inspired and haunted by the island's mythical 'warrior woman' (Rena Owen). The lush tropical beauty of Rotuma (part of Fiji) contrasts with the stifling conformity of her island's culture as Viki confronts notions of justice and her own personal freedom.
- Actors:
- Sapeta Taito, Rena Owen, Voi Fesaitu, Elisapeti Kafonika Inia, John Fasiu Fatiaki, Ritie Titofaga, James Davenport, Maniue Vilsoni, Sarote Fonmanu, Emily Erasito, Moriki Tigarea, Mareko Tomniko Veu, Fuata Semesi, Mata Tomniko Iane, Wilson Paul Tomniko
- Directors:
- Vilsoni Hereniko
- Writers:
- Vilsoni Hereniko
- Aka:
- Pear ta ma 'on maf
- Studio:
- Green Umbrella
- Genres:
- Drama
- Countries:
- Fiji
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Reviews (1) of The Land Has Eyes
Fiji's first feature film! - The Land Has Eyes review by YR
This was filmed on an island called Rotuman, a remote part of Fiji that has its own unique culture. It is about a teenage girl who lives simultaneously in two cultures.. the ancient culture of their island and the new culture of the British. It takes places in the late 60s, and it shows her struggle to clear her father's name (he is wrongly accused of theft) and also her efforts to get into university (in the Fijian capital city, Suva), and leave the island. Most of the actors were locals. The director wanted to show his homeland in a way that represented the true life of the people... instead of stereotypes. I read that it was a real struggle to get the film made, and they mostly used local non-actors. So, you should be forgiving of the film's eccentricities. However, it is a surprisingly polished film (they had a professional production crew), with a compelling storyline and sympathetic characters. I really enjoyed this!