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FRENCH
RETELL ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON STORY IN CUBA |
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By Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees |
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A made-for-television movie
documenting Robert Louis Stevenson's life in Samoa was filmed in Cuba
earlier this year. The French movie producers completed their work in
early May after nearly two months on location in Baracoa, Cuba.
The movie is titled 'Vagabonds des Mers du Sud' and is filmed in French
language to suit the European audience it is intended to be screened
to.
The movie was directed by renowned French moviemaker, Daniel Vigne, an
Oscar nominated director and screenwriter. Although the main
characters, including the lead part, were played by top french actors,
the famed English actress of the 1960’s and 1970’s Jane Birkin also had
a starring role playing Fannie, the wife of Robert Louis Stevenson. A
cast of Pacific Island actors and extras were also recruited from New
Zealand.
Apia was the original location for the film, but the producers opted
not to due to the lack of colonial style buildings which were crucial
to the film. Financial reasons were also given because the majority of
the production crew were based in Europe.
The producers chose the seaside town of Baracoa on Cuba which has a
harbour resembling Apia. But Baracoa also proved to be an excellent
location due to the many colonial style buildings erected by the
original spanish settlers, some dating back to the 17th century.
Baracoa is a seaside settlement described as the oldest colonial
spanish town in Cuba. It is a few kilometres away from Guantanamo Bay
where a US Marine base is holding Al Queda prisoners captured in
Afghanistan and Iraq. It is also an hour's flight from the capital
Havana where communist figurehead Fidel Castro resides.
Baracoa was also the location of filming for such recent Hollywood
blockbuster movies like ‘Once upon a time in Mexico’ starring Antonio
Bandares and Salma Hayek and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ starring Johnny
Depp.
The movie is filmed entirely in french with some Samoan spoken by the
'natives'. Pacific Islanders played the parts of the Samoan chiefs,
village people and warriors,with some local Cubanswho possessed the
right colour complexion also hired as extras. |
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French movie 'Vagabonds des Mers du Sud': Scene inside a Samoan
fale involving a meeting between Robert Louis Stevenson and
Samoan paramount chief Mata'afa. (Photo – Peter Rees)
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French movie 'Vagabonds des Mers du Sud': A scene performed by
extras and actors played by both Pacific Islanders and local
Cuban natives hired to work on the film. (Photo – Peter Rees)
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French movie 'Vagabonds des Mers du Sud': The main characters
Jane Birkin (Fanny), Stéphane Freiss (Robert Louis Stevenson)
and Maria-Teresa Carrasco. (Photo – Peter Rees)
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The producers used a talent agency in New Zealand to recruit actors
to play the parts of Samoans with Cook Islander Jim Vivaere playing
the part of paramount chief Mata'afa.
Event Polynesia understands the Samoan actors also acted as cultural
advisors for the film assisting with teaching the war dances, sivas
and other ceremonial acts.
According to one of the extras who won a part after a successful
audition in Auckland, the experience was "once in a lifetime".
"It was an experience I'll never forget," she said.
"There was a language barrier but that didn't stop all the actors
and production crew from becoming good friends and we had some good
times while filming.
"It was also great to travel to Paris and Cuba and see places I have
always dreamed of. The locals in Cuba were really friendly and we
learnt some Spanish of them."
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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