In a traditional tribal society in the South Pacific, a young girl, Wawa, falls in love with her chief’s grandson, Dain. When an inter-tribal war escalates, Wawa is unknowingly betrothed as part of a peace deal. The young lovers run away, refusing her arranged fate. They must choose between their hearts and the future of the tribe, while the villagers must wrestle with preserving their traditional culture and adapting it to the increasing outside demands for individual freedom.
Cinematography
Volcano as character—threatening, gorgeous, inevitable.
Acting
Non-professional cast from actual tribe. No acting, just truth.
Production
Shot entirely on location in Vanuatu with tribal collaboration.
Director
Bentley Dean
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The cast are actual Yakel tribe members; Marie Wawa and Mungau Dain fell in real love during filming and married after. He died tragically young in 2019.
Based on a true 1987 event that changed marriage customs on Tanna island—the film itself became part of their cultural preservation.
AU
