The World of Movies: When the Man Went South
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 travel to new discoveries in Tonga.
When the Man Went South.
May contain spoilers.
When the Man Went South (Alex Bernstein, 2014) is the first feature film made primarily in Tongan. Set in precolonial times, it combines longstanding tradition with Swiftian levels of commentary, and scenes that wouldn’t be out of place in a sitcom. Highly enjoyable and loaded with insight, this hero’s journey is an underseen treat for the viewer.
Flying Fox (Soane Prescott) is talented in all things, from cooking to fishing to storytelling – though perhaps a bit socially clueless. He becomes one of two candidates chosen by the headman, Singing Whale (Loketi Tatafu), to succeed him. This should be easy. His rival, Gecko Lizard, is reportedly “the dumbest person alive”. To make the final determination, both young men are sent away to gain wisdom from nearby groups of people. Much to the displeasure of his girlfriend, Flying Fox sails for new shores.
Though the story has a serious basis, there is quite a bit of room for humour. Singing Whale in particular gets some great one-liners, but most of the characters get in a quip or two. At times, it approaches screwball comedy levels. Still, it isn’t meant as a simple romp, and the movie balances these contrasting tones well. The journey’s intensity is never minimized, nor the potential danger he finds in other people. It is rare for a film to handle humour so deftly, and it works very well here. A breathtakingly sarcastic narrator (Viliami T. Halapua) both helps to sell a joke, and maneuvers the mood to more serious matters as needed. Hidden in these antics are some profound truths, particularly about the development of conflict.
Flying Fox is immediately valued for his skill in both hunting and cuisine. He soon finds himself caught up in a conflict between neighbouring peoples. He quickly proves to be an effective diplomat between the groups (despite decades of hostilities, and the incompetence of virtually everyone around him). Peace is grudgingly secured, but suffice to say that human nature remains the same. Flying Fox reluctantly returns home, only to be confronted with problems of his own.
While mostly relegated to playing the straight man, Soane Prescott (credited as Soa Prescott here) captures the quiet strength of his character, and gives everyone room to bounce off him. The rest of the film is made up of a great ensemble cast, from the stubborn neighbouring communities to the disdainful Singing Whale to Flying Fox’s long-suffering girlfriend. Technically, the film is well-done, particularly in cinematography. Set out in splashy colour, the images both suit the tone and demonstrate the beautiful (but harsh) terrain Flying Fox must navigate. It can feel a little slow towards the end, but is bolstered by its many laughs.
While Flying Fox goes through quite a few trials, his journey to leadership is both educational and entertaining. With a sharp command of its comedy and just enough reflection to avoid silliness, When the Man Went South takes us on a truly fantastic journey.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.