5 Reasons We Love Three Wise Cousins

We were lucky to see a private screening of Three Wise Cousins in Melbourne.  A theatre of 300 filled to the brim of Samoans ready to laugh and be entertained.  It wasn’t like any other movie screening I had been to, not even in Samoa.  As my son and I sat down we were offered a packet of popcorn from a complete stranger as they had ordered more than they could eat, thank you again kind man.  Then before the movie started as a group we all did the mili and pati (there is probably an actual term for this, I just don’t know it, sorry!) followed by Samoan hymns and Samoan national anthem as we waited for patrons to enter.  So before the movie even started I was filled with Samoan pride.

Throughout the movie I could not stop laughing and smiling.  I loved the movie.  My son loved the movie.  I have not met anyone who has seen the movie who has had anything bad to say about it.  So if you haven’t seen Three Wise Cousins yet, here are five reasons for you to head over to the cinemas in New Zealand, Australia and Samoa and watch it today.  It is a great movie for the whole family.  If you are not in Australia, New Zealand or Samoa contact the makers on their Facebook page and see how you can get the movie to your country.  So here are five reasons why we loved Three Wise Cousins, don’t worry there are no spoilers!

1. Mose, Andrew and Tavita (L-R Mose, Andrew & Tavita)

Mose, Andrew and Tavita were such great representations of the sense of humour, the generosity, the respect and the fun loving ways of the Samoan people.  Mose, Andrew and Tavita had the whole package when it came to characters we could love and appreciate.  I am thankful that the producers of this movie opted to cast Samoans straight outta Samoa for the roles of Mose and Tavita because I know that Samoa has more talent than just rugby players and it is about time that those talents are shared with the world!

2. Lavalavas (with suspenders even!)

I was a little jealous at the beautiful lavalavas that Mose and Tavita wore.  They were bright, they were pretty and it showed that men can wear a skirt with floral designs and bright colours and not be seen as being any less masculine.

3. Koko Samoa

This part of the movie melted my heart.  In all the time that I lived in Samoa I never knew how koko Samoa was made.  I picked it from my garden and it went to waste on my kitchen bench because I didn’t even know how to open it, let alone how to prepare it.  This was an eye opener and definitely a favourite part of the movie.

 4. Coconut Oil

We have blogged about the benefits of coconut oil before (koko Samoa scrub).  Coconuts are everywhere in Samoa.  I love the way that this movie brings out the beauty and the value that coconut oil has for their people.  I am not 100% sure if this scene was meant as purely comedic, but I still enjoyed it all the same.

5. Soundtrack

The soundtrack was written and performed entirely by Andrew Faleatua further adding to the value that this movie has to the people of Samoa.  We are talented.  Our many skills and treasures are abundant and we are proud that through this movie we have had the opportunity to share some of these treasures with the world.

Enjoy our new favourite song by Andrew Faleatua.  If you haven’t seen Three Wise Cousins, what are you waiting for!?