Institute History
Description
Nanna Maria dreams of her youth in the islands of Fiji with nostalgia, remembering sunny days filled with family and celebration. Her memories may be glowing, but Nanna's house, No. 2, is far from it these days. The front door was sealed in Fijian tradition after the death of her husband, and family members have sunk deeply into their daily lives in urban New Zealand, too busy to gather or share in a family moment.
But Nanna Maria decides she wants a party thrown in traditional Fijian fashion, with roasted pig, kava, music, and laughter abounding, so she can name her successor as head of the family. The only problem is that some members of the family are too busy, many have never roasted a pig, and others simply aren't speaking to one another.
Accomplished playwright Toa Fraser brings his stage play to life in his directorial debut with stylized storytelling and a camera that glides effortlessly through the peaks and valleys of the story. He gives us an effectively emotional portrait of a family trying to pull itself together as it's actually falling apart. Veteran actress Ruby Dee boldly leads a stellar ensemble cast, and even with the frays and loose ends of familial drama exposed, the love and resilience of this family are still inspiring.