For thirty years in the late-twentieth century, the people of Tahiti survived dozens of offshore nuclear tests by the French government. Since the country was colonized in 1880, the blasts left Tahitians picking through the remnants of their islands and culture in an effort to keep indigenous knowledges alive. The film offers a poetic glimpse into contemporary Tahiti, and the colonial struggles its people still face as they strive to sustain their way of life.
Cinematography
Ocean as character—gorgeous and grievously wounded.
Writing
Flora Devatine's poetic narration transforms testimony into art.
Direction
Ghijzelings refuses easy outrage for something more devastating.
Director
Annick Ghijzelings
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
France conducted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia between 1966-1996, finally compensating victims in 2010 after decades of denial. The 'compensation' covered less than 10% of claimants.
Director Ghijzelings spent seven years building trust with communities who'd been exploited by previous filmmakers; Flora Devatine's participation was conditional on creative control remaining with Tahitian storytellers.
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