Samoa

The impact of the pandemic on a Samoan family. When the borders closed, the country in late March 2020, it became truly an island, isolated from its neighbors except for incoming cargo. Yet this nation, untouched by a confirmed case of COVID -19, has been severely impacted economically, educationally and families caught across the ocean’s divide. The emotional scars of the 83 deaths and the approximately 5000 reported cases from the measles outbreak that occurred less than six months ago, are still fresh. The fragility of the health care system was bolstered by external health care assistance that may be less forthcoming if COVID 19 reaches these shores as all nations grapple with their own burden.

This film examines the impact of COVID -19 on a family in Samoa, in a country without a confirmed case. It shares the intimacy of the struggle for normalcy in the lives of children whose school attendance has been disrupted, the economic impact of a tourist industry left decimated and of organizations working in the communities to support vulnerable families.

With today’s modern society, and global trends, defining the ideal gender roles for men and women in Samoa may have changed over the years. Therefore, the Peer2Peer Media Team, through this film, aims to highlight the perspectives of the local community on what they think defines an ideal Samoan man or woman nowadays. By engaging with both the younger and elder generation, ‘Modern Men & Woke Women’ covers a diverse approach to the topic, involving common as well as new concepts to what ideal gender roles are in Samoa. The aim of this film was to also showcase what a group of students, with limited resources, can do to voice important social issues on the big screen.

The film crew included: Tali Fakaua (Assistant director & Camera Operator), Michelangelo Tuipoloa (Presenter & Production Assistant), Evelyn Tavita (Presenter & Public Relations officer), Grace Pua’i Aumua (Presenter & Production Assistant), Nagoya Molesi (Finance officer & Production Assistant), Nu’u Alofagia Isaia (Public relations officer) and Yongkwon Suafa (Director and Producer).

Va Tapuia: Women and Girls – a Sacred Covenant.