Tanna
International current affairs journalists Martin Butler and Bentley Dean present their feature film debut, Tanna in a special collaboration with the Yakel Tribe of Tanna, Vanuatu.
Following a track record of award-winning documentary projects including Contact (2010) and First Footprints (2013), Butler and Dean joined forces once again to direct their first feature film.
Bringing viewers a glimpse of the remarkable world of the tiny Pacific island of Tanna, the film was created in a unique collaboration with the Yakel Tribe of Tanna. Despite contact with the modern world, the Yakel Tribe still live an entirely traditional Kastom lifestyle in their mountainous jungle home, maintaining their belief system and social structure.
While the tribe had never previously been exposed to film before, they openly embraced the opportunity to explore and participate in this novel form of storytelling. The film, as such, is not only inspired by a true story, but also performed by the people of Yakel.
Tanna will see its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will be attended by the directors as well as the participating villagers of Yakel, most of whom will be leaving their Pacific island home for the first time. “The best thing about premiering at Venice will be taking a seat inside the grand Lido cinemas beside the villagers of Yakel, who less than two years ago, had never seen a movie. We can only imagine how they’ll feel visiting their first cinema, seeing a film starring themselves, in one of the most prestigious festivals in the world”, the directors expressed.
The world premiere will take place at the Venice Film Festival at the Lido cinemas in Venice, Italy on Tuesday 8 September 2015.
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