Film Review: Tanna (2015)

MSM had free tickets to see this tonight and asked if I’d like to go.
Although I tentatively looked it up on the internet to make sure I had the right title when I mentioned it in an email to a friend, I knew nothing about it and so went in with a completely open mind.

Tanna is an island in the South Pacific and has two tribes thereon.
The scenery is fabulous, with green forests, waterfalls and an active volcano.
In summary, this is how it came across to me.

One tribe are bullies, the other towing the line and accepting whatever is dished out, their elders telling them that revenge is not the answer to family killings, and that forgiveness is the key to peace.
In light of the recent attacks in this country, I found it appropriate in comparison.

The main leads are Wawa and Dain of the same tribe, who are very much in love. However, as the two Chiefs wish to have peace between their communities, Wawa is promised to the other chief’s son in marriage.
The two lovers run away and as Wawa can’t be delivered to her groom, a set of searchers from each tribe is despatched, one to kill, one to warn.

This was based on a true story, but not exactly along the lines of Romeo and Juliet as these lovers weren’t star-crossed from opposing tribes, but denied union within their own because of arranged marriages and ancient customs.

The outcome was inevitable as Wawa refused to leave Dain.
Afterwards, the tribal leaders agreed to allow ‘love marriage’ into their traditions and customs.

I am not one for foreign movies, especially having to read subtitles, which we didn’t know about until we arrived. It was difficult to associate thirty or so spoken words with half a dozen on the screen, and sometimes it sounded as if the supporting cast had fumbled or forgotten their lines.

However, for what the film portrayed, even though it wasn’t my cup of tea and there was little action (well none really) until the end of the hour and forty odd minutes, I’d give it

 

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