Tusi Tamasese is a Samoan filmmaker and theatre director who has been making waves on the international film circuit since the early 2000s. He is best known for his feature films One Thousand Ropes (2016) and The Orator (2011).
Born in the Samoan capital of Apia in 1967, Tamasese studied at the New Zealand Drama School before turning his attention to film and theatre. He has directed several short films, including the award-winning Toa (2000). He has also written and directed plays, including the popular One Night in Samoa (2005) and the controversial Loimata e faavae (2010).
Tamasese’s feature film debut, The Orator (2011), was an international success, premiering at the Venice Film Festival and winning the Special Jury Prize at the Sydney Film Festival. It follows the story of a village chief struggling to protect his people’s traditional way of life in modern Samoa. The film was widely praised for its powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and cultural authenticity.
Tamasese’s second feature film, One Thousand Ropes (2016), is a poignant drama about a Samoan woman struggling to come to terms with her past. The film won the Audience Award at the Sydney Film Festival and was also selected to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In addition to his directing work, Tamasese is also a respected film lecturer at the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been a vocal advocate for indigenous rights and is an active member of the Samoan arts community.
Tamasese’s work has won numerous awards and critical acclaim, and he has been described as “one of the most important filmmakers in the Pacific region”. His films are renowned for their powerful storytelling and honest portrayal of Samoan culture and its people. He is an important voice in contemporary Samoan cinema, and his films will no doubt continue to inspire audiences around the world.
