Film Showing and Discussion with James Gurr

James Gurr, a Samoan videographer with the National Park Service in American Samoa, will premier and discuss the making of his new film, ‘O le ‘Ie Toga: The Samoan Fine Mat.

Filmed in American Samoa, this 40-minute documentary looks at the traditional processes of gathering and working with natural materials to produce the most treasured exchange article in the Samoan culture.

The film contains original footage and personal commentaries about activities and ceremonies that are becoming less common in modern times.

James Gurr is a young filmmaker from American Samoa who has been documenting aspects of Samoan material culture for the past eight years.

Through this important and unique work he hopes to preserve the Samoan culture and educate the public about fading traditions in Samoa. His first film, Ma’ata’ife’e: Octopus Fishing, was produced in 2002 through the Pacific Islanders in Communications Digital Media Initiative.

Event Sponsor
Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures and Center for Pacific Islands Studies, Manoa Campus

More Information
956-7371

Ongoing Events