As a South African, we're constantly wanting to travel the world, especially Europe, however I've always felt connected to the Polynesian culture, maybe because it reminds me so much of my own. Samoa is definitely one of the countries on my travel list and this film has prompted me to visit soon. Love that you shone a light on this epidemic and I will continue to pray for the advancement and wellbeing of Samoa.xx
Thank you so much for making this video! Crying watching it. My heart belongs to Samoa. I'm not even Samoan, but my love and respect for it run so deep. So much so, that I'm crying as I'm writing this. I can only hope to visit Samoa one day. But I know I wouldn't want to leave. God bless Samoa and every Samoan. I'll love you always!! Fa'afetai.
Felt so hypnotic watching this. Spellbinding in its entirety and I'm sure anyone from outside the paradisic boundaries of Samoa would be magnetized to our shores. Breathtaking aerials and editing I can only dream of. Fa'amālo Ben. Fa'afetai tele lava.
Ben, this is absolutely incredible. This film has definitely confirmed my honour for you as one of my top favourite filmmakers. The story telling is so beautiful, empowering & meaningful. The production as such a small team, mainly yourself is so impressive. The sound design and visual moments were so intimate and crisp. This touched me for sure, I respect you so much. Growing up around my Samoan friends my whole life has always given me appreciation for the culture and its people and this film dug deeper for me. Thank you ❤️🙏🏽 Keep using your gifting to empower people!
Thank you for this post 🙏🏻 I recently discovered I’m 4% Samoan so it’s nice getting to know a little of who I am... I know it ain’t much, but the blood still runs in me 💯🙏🏻
not many effects, not many movements... just pictures in a good row with good audio. its just video creating on a very.... VERY high level. my respect.
Beautiful work uso, love the way you capture the life in both Samoa and American Samoa in a cinematic style. Its reflected that we are one, despite the differences in Political path and western influences. We are Samoan 👌🏼❤ people from the Sun, one language, one culture "Fa'aSamoa".
To be honest, watching this brought me to tears. Samoa is so beautiful, and the aiga makes it so much better. Shoutout to the people stuck in the mainland, waiting for their time to make it back to the islands. And a big fa'afetai to Ben for bringing this together. This is a powerful project and a beautiful documentation of Samoa. I want more, and frankly, Samoa needs more content like this. Not just to record and preserve the beauty of the island for the upcoming generations, but because videos like this really bring people together, off and on-island. Like how 60minutes brought people together for Samoa with their "football island' documentary and indirectly improved the island's funding, scholarships, and opportunities for kids playing football in Samoa. Content creators wanting to get together to work on future projects like this for Samoa, please message me!
Malo Ben, not sure if you read the comments but here goes... this is simply BEAUTIFUL and an inspiring piece of filmmaking. It is a touching tribute to those, mainly young, lives lost in the heartbreaking measles epidemic. Watching your film I laughed at the seevae being used as drumsticks, was captivated by the Siva Afi and touched by the point re looking to our own Samoan genealogy for inspiration. (Couldn't agree more! I've made the point before that if our ancestors were navigating the vast Pacific that covers over 30% of the earth's surface, they had to have SMARTS) I was also saddened by the fact that while Samoa has survived waves of colonisation, Samoans are NOT surviving Western JUNK FOOD. While I love to revel in the beauty of our people, their smiles and grace, and our culture, I am not immune to the slow-motion disaster that is DIABETES and Samoa's place within the world leaders. Unlike rugby, this is not something we want to be known as having a natural talent for! The health risks that come with a diet that is no longer close to nature is KILLING us at a faster rate than other nationalities. The 2016 WHO report on Diabetes singled Samoa out with: 'Half of all adults in Samoa are at high risk of developing NCDs such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.' Yes we may be genetically predisposed to carry fat compared with other races BUT that is the loaded gun, the bullet gets fired with diet and lifestyle choices. I know you are a travel bug more than anything else but any chance you would/could make a film to raise awareness of our need to get back to nature? I would be happy to help with more info if you needed it... I know I'm being cheeky, but honestly, I think your filmmaking / narrative skills combined with a genuine love for Samoa may be able to encourage a more widespread positive shift back to nature... far more than any purely-palagi paternalistic journalism piece (check out RU-vid vid 'Unreported World - The Fattest Place on Earth')... Feel free to ignore me, I won't take offence, I'm of the school of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. Keep up the great work, I look forward to seeingthe next instalment... :P (Btw, I've lived in London since 1999 but originally hail from Titirangi, West Auckland, think you may be around the same age as my nephew...)
I've never thought about traveling to Samoa but after this video, it will appear on my travel list 😉 Lately, I also start learning new editing software 😁 I've switched from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve mostly because of stability. Premiere Pro made me crazy after unexpected crushes... What software are you using now?
One of the best videos i‘ve ever seen on this platform. Mouth was wide open for the whole time. My deepest respect for That storytelling and the cinematography. Crazy Skills and beautiful motives, too. I‘m just stunned. Great work man, appreciate it!
Truly inspiring and an emotional journey superbly told with beauty a people a culture an Island paradise. My late parents being Samoan myself born in NZ a touching tribute to all Samoans. The Samoan measle epidemic was horrific your efforts to raise money through awareness of a culture totally superb. Exceptional Ben my best wishes and prayers 😁👍
Beautiful shots of the Samoa Islands! malo lava for putting your short film on the world stage for all to admire the beauty of Samoa. I enjoyed listening and reading your script too. We forefathers were warriors, discoverers and fascinating in what they passed down to us. Ia manuia...
Inspiring and Breath taking! For all Polynesians island to be seen in a light not shown to the world. Only the ones who truly explore deep in cultures. Beautifully executed ❤️ OFAATU TO all the Islands!
ALOFA ATU USO FA'AFETAI... SO'O LE FAU I LE FAU... ONLY A FAU TREE CAN JOIN A FAU TREE, "A TREE IS STRONG BECAUSE OF IT'S ROOTS" MAKING IT ("STRONGER") AS ONE. BEAUTIFUL ANCESTRY MY BROTHER. FROM THE "SACRED" BLOOD LINE "OLO'APU FAMILY" SONS OF THE ("HIGH CHIEFS & PRIESTS") MALO USO. HAMO FAA SAMOA THE ANCIENT FORBIDDEN & SACRED TRIBES 🙏 MAD RESPECT & LOVE THOSE THAT HAVE PAST & THE PRESENT 🙌
"Can I make one thing clear" HPBoys💯 where u based USO! Not sure if your into producing music videos exceptional work👌Self Funded!! 💯 👑 (pause) AMAZINGLY Shot , Narrated Directed, Edited! Can ya get this man the Best short film Award!! with the inscription "told u so" Theres currently great music interest around the world to Australian Poly Urban music as its refered to generally and by media! and tbh from living here, that's confusing, musically 😜 but the people whom are telling their stories like our Ancestors!! TOKOUSOS✊🏾 Samoan and Tongan descent, came here or birthed here have created, self funded! there own artform and music lane telling their stories, many with tales of plight, despair, freedom and fight!! Regardless of public opinions, negative press now a special police task force in the state of NSW monitoring our artists? (there answer is to shut down shows funded by the artists themselves?) leaves me with more than a few questions that invoke me Savage!! Someone like yourself (Idk) with your kalegi should do a doco about our youth from these low social economic areas who've not only beat all negative stereo types of all Polynesians here (he must play rugby, security guard, criminal, sells dope etc etc.. Our brothers have created our version of hip hop that people in places as far as Nigeria and Germany are embracing!! Great Film and a cheers in advance when your making your best film award speech!! 💯
Amazing work, its been 14 long yrs I havent seen my birth place Samoa this make me want to plan a vac soon. Ps. Absolutely wonderful video God Bless your work
wow. just wow. this video is absolutely amazing and beautiful, just like the country. i'm from new zealand but i hope to one day travel to samoa to learn about the culture and country and experience it for myself :).
It reminds me of those who died in the 2009 tsunami event too, so tragic that a tsunami of a different kind took more lives in 2019. Such a warm-hearted film you made, thanks so much for capturing the beauty of our beloved Samoan islands~~ makes me very homesick now! theres no place like home ~
