Director’s statement

As a filmmaker I have had the chance to travel to places that seemed unreachable growing up in a small town of Yakymivka in the South-East of Ukraine. Working with local communities in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Germany and UAE motivated me to continually expose myself to overlooked situations and emphasize the young generation’s vital role in shaping non-mainstream narratives with our communities. 

Immersing myself in the vibrant city of Wellington eventually led me to Meli Alefosio and her poignant story. Hearing how her family left Tokelau for New Zealand to provide a better life for their blind son resonated with me and my own journey of uncertainty being away from home. Meli and Avito only planned to be here for a little while and yet 40 years on they’ve had to make New Zealand their second home. Although there are plenty of familiarities in cultures and societies I have lived in, and especially here in New Zealand, there are plenty of differences too, making me feel like I both belong and do not at the same time. Meli and Avitowelcomed me into their family and community and provided a unique chance to tell their personal story alongside them. Being in Aotearoa I have witnessed that even though Pākehā live alongside many cultures and might have Samoan or Fijian friends, people rarely get a chance to glimpse into Pasifika communities. My hope is to elevate Pasifika voices and share with the viewers access into these communities they would not normally have one to.

The film speaks to the life of Tokelauan immigrants in New Zealand and their strong sense of belonging and inability to find a “sense of  home.” My artistic approach not only seeks to portray their journey but aims to represent a wider range of social and cultural experiences among the Tokelauan community. Stories of women are rarely told; stories of Tokelaun women even more so. Meli speaks in depth about her upbringing in Tokelau and her continuing journey finding her place in New Zealand. Often poignantly she points to what she cannot speak about. 

The film serves as a nuanced archive of Meli and Avito’s journey, excavating intimate and poetic memories shared by the family. The finished film is a gentle and immersive exploration of culture, community, and place giving viewers an insight into the relationships between the individual and community in Tokelauan culture.