Red, White and Brass

What’s it about?

Maka, a superfan of the Tongan rugby team, will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga v France Rugby World Cup game – even if that means promising to deliver a brass band for the pre-match entertainment.

Only problem is, the band doesn't exist and Maka has four weeks to make one.

The facts

• Director: Damon Fepulea’i
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• English and Tongan languages
• NZ-Tongan film made with the support of the Wellington Tongan community
• Inspired by a true story.

Why did it get this rating?

This film was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Adult themes

The community focus of the storyline involves a lot of family time in and around the church. As members of a Christian congregation there is an emphasis on duty and service to God as part of their characters.

In one scene the father of the household is shown being given firm verbal direction by the church leader, who clearly holds a lot of mana. The father is later shown to make his own choice of family before Church, and the decision ultimately works out well for everyone.

There are light moments where Maka tries to get out of kitchen duty or helping around the church and family members appear grumpy or unhappy with him, but his attempts to escape are humorous and without consequence.

Māfana

The film features and celebrates the overwhelming pride Tongans have in their country and their culture. You can expect an abundance of māfana throughout the film.

Co-writer and producer Halaifonua (Nua) Finau describes māfana: “[it] literally translates to warmth, or a state of something being warm. But it's more like a spiritual feeling of being overwhelmed with those feelings and emotions of pride, joy, excitement that just all come together and reaches that peak".

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?