The World of Movies: Tinpis Run
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, we look at love and tradition in Papua New Guinea.
Tinpis Run.
May contain spoilers.
Papua New Guinea has a growing film industry, and Tinpis Run (Pengau Nengo, 1991) was one of the earliest films the country produced. This road-trip comedy is enjoyable from beginning to end! Over the course of an hour and twenty-five minutes, and a few strange adventures, we see a broad section of Papuan life. With amusing performances and a good deal of social commentary, it offers a rich and entertaining viewing experience.
Highland chief Papa (Leo Konga), who drives a taxi in the city, is involved in a road accident. The quick-thinking Naaki (Oscar Wanu) saves his life. In gratitude, Papa offers his daughter Joanna (Rhoda Selan) in marriage. The two young people are not exactly thrilled by the prospect, insisting that they will choose their own partners (despite a growing attraction). Papa, meanwhile, has resumed his taxi business, which takes him around the country and allows him to encounter many different people. Of course, his new partner Naaki comes along for the ride. They are sidetracked by a thief, get into looping arguments, and in the end, become involved in a full-fledged war.
This “road trip” setup allows for an easy guide to different segments of 1990s Papuan society. Some segments are straight travelogue, but others are sharply satirical, or just plain fun. Konga and Wanu are particularly funny playing off each other, and it’s heartwarming to see their bond grow, though Gerard Gabud almost steals the show as a corrupt politician. Most of all, the two men provide a shorthand to the debate between tradition and modernity, which is expanded on as they encounter various characters – especially in the context of transitioning away from colonialism. For all this movie’s humour, it takes a sombre turn that it handles quite gracefully.
Tinpis Run.
In fact, a lot of it works well. The movie’s colours really pop, and there is some beautiful footage of the countryside. I also enjoyed the contemporary Papuan soundtrack. Sometimes I found that there were gaps in the screenplay, which may have been the copy I was viewing – important events seemed to occur offscreen and we saw the aftermath instead, so it took a minute to catch up. It could also be a little slow-moving at times. Considering how many different elements this film was balancing, however, it did an admirable job of giving its concepts and characters their due.
Tinpis Run is a great example of how a film can be both entertaining and insightful. Mixing road-trip hijinks with a serious look at Papua New Guinean identity sounds impossible to pull off, but Nengo manages it quite well. Despite some bumpy moments in the screenplay, it tells an appealing story with a lot of heart. To discover so much about the country at the same time is a real gift.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.