From the Film Australia Collection. Made by Film Australia 1983. Directed by Stanley Dalby. The first visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the new Pacific nation of Tuvalu (formerly the Ellice Islands) brings Taliu Eli, a 21-year-old primary school teacher from her island of Nui to the main island of Funafuti to take part in the celebrations of the Royal visit. Tuvalu is a nation of nine islands amounting to 27 square kilometres of land and 9,000 people. Taliu Eli is aboard the inter-island supply ship, Nivanga, as it steams from island to island, transporting cargo and passengers. In each port of call there is time to talk with the islanders and discover their social, political and economic concerns. At Funafuti, the Queen’s visit is the highlight, but Taliu takes the opportunity to interview the Prime Minister and other leaders of Tuvalu. The interviews are in English or in Tuvaluan with Taliu’s voice-over in English. This is the first English language film made in Tuvalu and was funded by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau as part of Australia’s aid to this central Pacific nation.
14 сен 2022
