Tiga e Le Iloa / Hidden Pain

Director’s Notes - Popo Lilo

"I originally wrote this film as a feature, but after receiving funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, I re-wrote the central ideas to fit a short format. I felt particularly close to the themes of friendship and loyalty, cultural tradition, family values and religion especially with regard to Pacific Island peoples. I deliberately wrote a story which would star the people and locations of South Auckland, because I believe these are the centre of Polynesian culture in New Zealand. However, one of the films major hurdles was convincing Samoan's to be involved with, and support the film. I believe this is because I’m dealing with controversial and sensitive issues in the film."