Marks of Mana is a documentary about Pacific female tattooing. It is the first film to cover the subject. Background The film was produced and directed by Lisa Taouma, a New Zealand film maker of Samoan ancestry.Queensland Multicultural Center, 7 Apr 2024 - Pasifika Wave presents Marks of ManaThe Guardian, Sat 30 Jan 2021 - We had no paper, but we had our bodies': the sacred and symbolic in Polynesian tattoos - Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson It features Samoan tatau artist Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou of an indigenous tattoo studio on K’ Road called Karanga Ink. In the film she returns to Samoa to learn more and reconnect.NZ on Screen - Marks of Mana
The film won the 2018 best documentary award at the imagineNATIVE indigenous film festival in Toronto, Canada and the Best Cinematography award at the DocEdge Festival in Aotearoa 2019.Omny.fm, 20 Nov 2020 - Pacific Media Network, Description It also won the Best Pasifika Programme at the 2020 New Zealand TV Awards.Omny.fm, 20 Nov 2020 - Pacific Media Network, Lisa Taouma - "Marks of Mana" wins Best Pasifika Programme at New Zealand TV Awards 2020.
The song "Pese o le tatau" which was performed by Mema Wilda was commissioned for the film.Digital Pasifik - Pese o le tatau Reception The film had its New Zealand premiere in Wellington. It was also set to screen at the imagineNATIVE indigenous film festival in Toronto, Canada in the week following the Wellington premiere.Radio New Zealand, 14 October 2018 - Marks of Mana: the first film dedicated to female tattooing in the Pacific
On 6 June 2021, the film was screened at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 21 June 2021 - Marks of Mana
The screening at the Queensland Multicultural Center which included a Q&A session with director Lisa Taouma, tatau artist Julia Gray, Maryann Talia Pau and Lanatina from House of Iliganoa was sold out.Queensland Multicultural Center, 7 Apr 2024 - Pasifika Wave presents Marks of Mana Credits Actor: Goddess - Cheyenne Maiava, Susana Paese Si'a Additional footage - Julia Mage-au Gray (Papua New Guinea) Art design - Linda Lepou Camera - Hayden Aull, Jake Farani, Elizabeth Koroivulaono, Twayne Laumua, Faanati Mamea, Christo Montes, Arthur Rasmussen Director - Lisa Taouma Editor - Sacha Campbell, Damon Fepulea'i, Mario Gaoa, Daniel Habedank (online editor), Twayne Laumua Producer - Kay Ellmers (executive), Lisa Taouma Production Manager - Natasha Panui-Morris Set and design - Paul Scheuer Sound - Colleen Brennan, Marcus Lawson, Wilhelm Voigt Subject research - Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou Voice over - (Legend section) Goretti Chadwick NZ on Screen - Marks of Mana, Credits
Further reading Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 4 May 2024 - Meet the women practicing the ancient tradition of Sāmoan tatau By Dinah Lewis Boucher
References
External links Imdb - Marks of Mana