MA - Short Film

KEY PERSONNEL
Writer / Director - Nikki Si'ulepa
EPs / Producers - Ngaire Fuata & Nikki Si'ulepa
Cinematographer - Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Editor - Cushla Dillon
Original Music - Matatumua Opeloge Ah Sam
CAST
Ma - Leiataua Afega 'Ma' Si'ulepa
Bishop Brown - Fasitua Amosa
Angry Driver - Dallas Barnett
Delivery Man - Gideon Letoga
Nikki - Nikki Si'ulepa
Church Congregation - Matu Ward, Henderson Stake, Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, Auckland, New Zealand
CREW
1st AD - Alex Cairns
First Camera Assistant - Jack Woon
Continuity - Ngaire Fuata
Art Direction (Ma's House) - Leiataua Afega 'Ma' Si'ulepa
Lighting / Grips - Danny Aumua, Karima Fai’ai
Sound Recordist - David Green
Production / Unit Manager - Hweiling Ow
Art Department - Casey Kaa
Wardrobe - Piata Gardiner-Hoskins
Make Up - Maureen Taumateine, Terri-Lee Sadaraka
Production Runner/Unit - Matthew Poët
Stills Photography - Kimberly Adamson
Catering:
Manhattan Catering
Genevieve Berge
Terangi Berge
Monique Hope
Josephine Lepa
Anahera Higgins
Afega 'Fangs' Sa’ena Si’ulepa
Peta Si’ulepa
May Von Dinklage
Post Production @ Post 4 Blacksand
Editing Assistant - Paul Anderson
Trailer Editor - Debbie Matthews
Colour Grade - Jack Woon
Sound Design - Colleen Brennan / Reade Audio
MUSIC
“Lau Leva”
Performed & Composed by Jerome Grey
Courtesy of Jerome Grey
“Minoi Minoi”
Performed by Jerome Grey
Courtesy of Jerome Grey
“Matagofie”
Performed by Leila Alexander
Cello - Jessica Porter
Flax Mat - Wesley Lomu
Piano - Matatumua Opeloge Ah Sam
SPECIAL THANKS
Marcel Von Drongelen
Guy Brindson
Pauline Pua, Cut Above
Phil Meleisea
David Lui
Myrene Van Sitter
Maree Pouesi
Ioelu N Tausaga U’alafaitele
Congregational Church of Jesus New Lynn
St Thomas Op Shop, New Lynn
May Von Dinklage
Russell Elliot
Riverlina Si’ulepa
Taualeo’o Stephen Stehlin
Lisa Chatfield
Fleur Putnam
Natalie Hughes
Roseanne Liang
The Si’ulepa Family
©Thunder Productions Ltd
Film Festivals:
2014 Short Film Corner - Festival de Cannes, Cannes, France
2014 Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF), Hawaii, USA
2014 L.A. Skins Fest, Los Angeles, USA
2015 New Zealand International Film Festival, New Zealand
2015 Wairoa Maori International Film Festival, Wairoa, New Zealand
2015 ImagineNATIVE Film Festival, Toronto, Canada
2015 Nuku'alofa Film Festival, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
2015 Aotearoa NZ Film Festival, Hawai'i, USA
2015 Pollywood Film Festival, New Zealand
2015 Mispon International Film Festival, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
2016 Pasifika Film Festival, Sydney, Australia
2016 Maoriland Film Festival, Otaki, New Zealand
2016 T-Tahiti Film Festival, Tahiti, French Polynesia
2016 Siapo Cinema, Wellington, New Zealand
2016 The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian | Native Cinema Showcase, New Mexico, USA
2016 PBS Online Film Festival
/ mashortfilm

[@christophertucker8031]

Im a white man who went to Cannons Creek School in Porirua East. At the time 90% of the children were polynesian. They were the best people I have ever met in my whole life. As a community they had strong good leadership and family values. Precious people welcome in my home anytime.

[@vinavgggtvicugicjgvvvycguc3935]

Hjehjdudhidheiheieeh

[@vinavgggtvicugicjgvvvycguc3935]

Hhdjheidbeihwiwbwiw

[@freeelyse9658]

Humour aside, solutions regarding how we can limit chronic loneliness amongst our Pasifika elders needs to be addressed. Most importantly with all these mega and wealthy churches in Aotearoa, why are the bishops, church leaders, and fai fe'au's not doing more to help the elderly? Great movie!

[@rachelleandrichard]

Thanks Nikki and Ma and crew for a poignant film. So much feels. Wish we had films of this genre on the big screen. Rich in culture, family values, the reality of ageing in this generation and funny as. Loved it. Every Polynesian family has a 'Ma' who keeps us entertained and in line at the same time. ❤️

[@braaaaaaaa8998]

props to grandma for that performance, give the lady an Oscar lol. I was on edge the whole time, like was she going to have a heart attack and die due to her daughter's betrayal. come back and possess the dolls, becomes the doll wields the machete and takes revenge on the guy that flipped the bird. maybe even taking out her pastor for even thinking clubbing doesn't go hand in hand with church.....either way ended well with me saying nawwwww. great short film

[@MayaRaimondo]

So sad. We could all be alone in the end. Never underestimate how much value a person puts on a sentimental thing - even if it means nothing to you. To them, that's all they have left.

[@ettaffailoa7122]

Wow I love this short film ?? Give us so much to think of when it comes to parents an grandparents feeling too. Wish it was long ??

[@hemiwaerea]

"and keep it up the good work" gotta love the fobiness of the movie. keeps it real!!!! that telefoni is old school mean

[@TobbeStorm]

Hemi Waerea “Did you hear it?”

[@marietaetimani3067]

Hhhhbhhbhbjhkbknknkkjkkk

[@vinavgggtvicugicjgvvvycguc3935]

Hhhhahhwhsjishwjuuwhushsj

[@tolaipritchard6018]

Wow 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤮🤮🤮

[@marietaetimani3067]

HHhhzhzhHhzUbziNzbzbh,Bob,zbz,,bb,hzhzh,n,is,n,n-,,

[@taylajohnson3825]

Nikki you've created such a moving and powerful short film that speaks volumes to me and I'm sure many others as well. God bless our parents and grandparent xx

[@v33kirikino84]

I miss my Nan....treasure your grandparents

[@mrm2079]

yeah i miss my grandad

[@peteranuku5513]

God I love her... Love it well done.. But there were moments where my heart did melt...

[@mindyourownbusiness6432]

What A Lovely Lady...she reminds Me of My Mum....A beautiful, yet Meaning short film.....God bless to The Cast & Everyone Involved....Manuia Lava"

[@lynfruean]

Star performance, she talks exactly like my mum (broken English) but that never stopped them from teaching valuable lessons in life. Thanks for taking me down memory lane, laughter and the big screen. Honour Your Parents xx

[@waikamaniaseve2658]

That's my Aunty Fenga. My nana Bonita Seve is her younger sister. Aunty Fenga would always show me her collection when I was younger

[@BeyondTheMind007]

she's so cute

[@serene4961]

This was so cute ma reminds me a bit of my grandma, i saw the story about this on fb and had to watch. Loved it!!! Makes you empathise for our parents and grandparents how lonely so many of them feel once everyone moves away

[@s1w83]

watchin this in brisbane,i just saw people from the ward when we were once the massive "samoan ward" (west auks Nz),before they split the ward in half due to lots of members (matiu & sasae ward)...nastalgic memories of great times with the LDS famz back in the days...alofas to you all xx

[@silaaiono3648]

Love this!!! I bawled!! couldn't help but think how imperative it is for our parents to always feel included and loved as they grow older Cracked up at how they made the protagonist a sapelu-weilding-night-clubbing-Mormon 😂😂😂

[@nikkisiulepa]

Thanks Sila. This film is based on true events. Look out for Ma in 'Maria' currently premiering / screening in Hawai'i at HIFF now and then will make it's film festival circuit. Malo lava.

[@pneuma2361]

Cherish you grandparents while they are still here with you on earth. I miss mines with my aching heart.

[@dinepimachick]

I am so happy to find this. I was at your screening at LA Skins Fest a couple of years ago and loved it.

[@angelqbana3196]

I feel for this mum cause she only has toys and bits n pieces to comfort her lonely days we need to be there for our loved ones to the end

[@asusorion4756]

Man i grew up in Kelston but now live in Glendene right next to that dairy and that is so my mum also the way she talks gos to church her whole outlook and the lonliness she feels now us kids have moved out. I also know Fasitua Amosa the Bishop from wen i was at school he was an army boy then good fulla regardless,

[@peachie7117]

Heartfelt movie. Well done. Ma is a great actress, she reminds me so much of my Mom. I love her, I love this film.

[@angelt9836]

Love this, shes such a briliant actress. Thanks for the share, we do need more of these films on the big screens, its a great teaching

[@annetteapelu6783]

Absolutely loved the movie, Great work Ma, hoping you make more movies. Alofas x

[@forbiddenfruits93]

This is probably the greatest short film I've seen so far😁😀

[@eleeletonumaipea4949]

Beautiful! You just go coconut angry Ma! It is family oriented, culturally valued, and hilariously entertaining!

[@sartaia9302]

Miss yo Ma 💙

[@saladavy6771]

I'm here because I saw a snippet on tiktok. Thank you this made me laugh & cry ❤️

[@dannyaumua106]

Fasitua is one of fav actors! Great stuff Nikki! Class all round!

[@MzLiLjo11]

Loved this !!

[@thesimplelife185]

Wow. Just amazing. Definitely pulled on the heartstrings. Thank you for such a beautiful art piece!!!

[@mojoejojo6675]

I made the mistake of watching this with others. Had to excuse myself and hide my tears hahaha.

[@Cobengi]

Beautiful film

[@yasminayub3802]

Marvellous film

[@keithstewart511]

Superb and quite moving.

[@mokenisuapilimai]

really enjoyed this...the acting was on point...keep it up

[@fae1932]

Gosh, I don't appreciate my mum enough. I don't mean too, I'm just selfish. I'm sorry I'll see you soon. I promise. I love you MUM ❤

[@melvinaetimanilevi2500]

Hhdhhdhjjjdjjjujjjdjjjsoklmlklmd,ml,k,ma,xllxxmkxkxkmkmmkxklkxlkxkkkkkxllk

[@anthonywarufrancismiru-rim1206]

Liked this short film brought lot off memorys back with my mum

[@lynettesanchez9315]

Good movie short but sweet 🙏

[@KekeVasquez]

Such a great performance! We have similar memories 😭

[@olokiumutaua3402]

God bless

[@silverback1243]

Awesome film

[@niueboi]

This is awesome

[@tibetming2313]

This was soooo so good

[@elsicario8964]

The Acting Is Flawless

[@effysiale9857]

I love this film god bless

[@laurieb.9555]

I had a Polynesian teacher in high school she was so sweet

[@alofapili8039]

Never mess with the old ones she's a tough old lady 😂😂😂😂

[@Solomon2055]

Great short film,nailed it,just like my Maori mother full of clutter in the house it took 23 tandem trailer loads of op shop stuff to get rid of it ,caravan full of junk toys and bras hanging in the trees, she had four car accidents before leaving the section in one month.she would watch tv full Volume every night till 3 am in the morning until she’s ready go to bed no consideration for anyone else,eat out dated food leave meat on the beach spray it with fly spray after flys sitting on it,then cook it for my fathers dinner,my father asked me to come back home to look after them both he had cancer was in a wheelchair I moved back with my two sons 6 and 8 for two years my father has passed, as long as she was happy that’s all he cared about, nothing has changed she has started all over again,

[@OoohUSuk]

👀

[@westsideAUKILANI]

7:00Glendene shops👌

[@Shadow_panther223]

“You tell her to bring back my monkey or I’ll go get it” 😂😂

[@MsRichycon]

I love mumma

[@datnikkah.tandrew6095]

OG MA.

[@afakasiemz7816]

This was such a great short film absolutely loved it! Funny humour, but I kinda got lost and confused about the concept?? But anyways malo lava!

[@janepelenato4323]

Like your videos Mā

[@lostfound2158]

and at the 6;00 mark those drums sounded like they were played on a cabin bread tin lol

[@myecho6483]

it's very touching movie

[@ice.man.]

Far, gonna do it in an LDS chapel, atleast get everything correct XD, the bishop is wearing a black shirt man, hahah

[@SHYguy701]

🙏😘😍

[@s1w83]

nice to see the shops near willie,frank & antonia pauga's place (farquhar rd)

[@irwangszpaeski2707]

S1 W So true .. do you happen to be a relative ? I grew up with anf !

[@maryannerapana3375]

Yep I can relate to this nan, I would take no 💩💩💩💩from nobody but I wanna take her to the Milestones bar for a few drinks 🍷 then I take her to the drags to drive the rally cars for a race then afterwards go to the city mission to help serve the meals to the homeless and from there to bathe in thermal hot pool and stop in my hometown for a home cooking dinner then back to our house.....Greeting to farewell and that we may meet up again....as my island friend and I as a Tangata Whenua...Later Sis 💓

[@loading...3884]

Hahaha that was a good one

[@francellaifopo3505]

gangster mama 😂😂😂

[@bertzm2156]

Aunty Afega..my grandmas sister. She is LDS but they're using another denominations chapel.

[@lacesua9450]

im a member of the lds church and we dont have crosses at church mate , but other then that this is one good film lol

[@mayllialuafalealo7213]

Lace Su'a same

[@disownkaos1784]

LDS is a fake religon

[@sueloulanting6838]

your dads fake

[@mayllialuafalealo9311]

All your hater shut up it is

[@mayllialuafalealo9311]

Haha sue

[@misilei2863]

Ma: What did you call me ? Man: please forgive me Ma: No buts not nuts no coconuts.

[@sareeaf8519]

2 heartless people unliked it grr

[@lostfound2158]

talking to the minister what a crack up

[@mavaega-ua-oo-i-nuuausala]

What church is this lady attending❓ Cuz there are no crosses in the LDS Church, nor do the Bishops wear black shirts for sermons. 😂😹🙊😭

[@mojoejojo6675]

I was none the wiser as to which denomination it was. As a non-church going Samoan it (the denonomination) didn't have any relevance to the story.

[@mako4147]

Theres a joseph smith pic at the back of the bishops office

[@mayllialuafalealo9311]

Mavaega-Ua-O'o I-Nuuausala she comes to my ward she is also my aunty

[@yugi1806]

Mavaega-Ua-O'o I-Nuuausala ,

[@jamaicansuperman147]

why are their LDS photos in a Christian church

[@mayllialuafalealo7213]

Those are my aunts and cousins haha 😂 there famous

[@gonefishing7600]

west Auckland glendene

[@richace355]

I'm not the stupid coconut😂😂

[@fordrawiri4733]

I did it.

[@cardinia1]

xxx lol adorable

[@bubred7559]

8:08

[@loading...3884]

That man was so bad to do the bad hand 😠😠😠

[@raylenesufia]

wow it a litte bit sad

[@juniorlatu330]

sole what old lady at church has gucci hha.

[@taulonasepetio8575]

Samoan

[@taunautu7203]

Same here bro or sis

[@easterleaupepe8722]

I don't know about other mormons but to me it comes across as a mockery

[@Islandvibe77]

Can you tell her daughter I said Malo lava lol