tsimshotsui The film by Sacha Wolff is a welcome story of a man from French territory New Caledonia going to France to fulfill his rugby dreams. I am skeptical about how well New Caledonia and the family relations and culture there are represented, and I honestly need a little more information to really have a final say about that. However, lead Toki Pilioko is a real talent. He carries the film firmly on his shoulders and is a great actor. The colors and lighting are also beautiful in this film. I'm glad this is not one of those overdone tales of a single person of color amidst a crowd of white foreigners, and also that this film doesn't take the also overdone tragic ending.

Iulian Cioacamare The stocky Wallisian build is ideal for the position of prop forward (they form a minority community in New Caledonia). When the first choice of sports talent scout Abraham (Laurent Pakihivatau) is arrested he plucks Soane (Toki Pilioko) off the field and offers him a position on a French mainland team. Unlike in most sports dramas, Soane doesn't seem driven to turn pro. This unexpected opportunity would take him a world away from the tropical vistas of his low-key island home. Soane is tempted but says his father, Léoné (Petelo Sealeu, riveting), will object.Léoné, a tough buzzard who keeps his rifle handy, objects alright. When Soane announces that he's leaving anyway, fierce disciplinarian dad gives him a vicious, scarifying, whipping with an electrical cord, holds a religious ceremony and farewell feast, then declares his son dead and chases him off his property.When Soane arrives in France, the local rugby team official takes one look, deems him too short and 20 kilos too light and advises Soane to fly right back where he came from. That's not an option.

maryoklah I was so impressed with this movie. I originally wanted to watch it because it was about rugby and particularly rugby players from the south pacific. I was not disappointed. It is a poignant look at how these young men are recruited and used in Europe but of course it centers around the story of one young man in particular, his traditions, his family and his ultimate tragic salvation. I cannot wait to see more of Toki Pilioko - I hope he will be in future films as well. He created a compelling and charismatic persona in his lead role. I enjoyed the performance of Iliana Zabeth and look forward to seeing some of her other films. I was blown away by the talent of not only Mr Pilioko but by the other non professional actors such as Mikade Tuugahala, Laurent Pakihivatau and Petelo Sealeu - I hope I remembered to spell their names correctly. they were amazing - I highly recommend this film which is raw and riveting as well as sweet and touching.

GUENOT PHILIPPE I use a title for my comment in a sort of tribute to Lee Tamahori's best picture : ONCE WERE WARRIORS which has nothing to do with this movie story, except the tale of characters, natives from Southern Hemisphere, men connected with the Haka philosophy and spirituality. But I admit that both films have nothing in common concerning the topics. Nothing at all. And characters have nothing in common about their behaviour with women in particular, although they are both warriors, who would have been perfect in the All Black New Zealand rugby team. That said, this film I comment now is a powerful and so poignant feature that made me weep at several moments. The female lead looks very like Lea Seydoux, the face not the body, too chubby. Yes, that's the kind of film which can attract much audience even with no media support. I highly recommend it.