Tanna

Watch Tanna

"Two tribes. One love."
  • NR
  • 2016
  • 1 hr 40 min
  • 6.9  (4,646)
  • 75

Tanna is a 2015 film which tells an uplifting story of a blossoming love affair that takes place between two young members of a tribe on the island of Tanna in the South Pacific. Set in the early 1980s, the movie opens with a powerful ritual that sees the deaths of two members of a neighboring tribe who have trespassed on Tanna land. This bloodletting fuels the flames of conflict between the two tribes, leaving their respective leaders at a standstill, wondering how they can put an end to the fighting and bring about lasting peace.

Meanwhile, on the Tanna side, a young girl named Wawa (Marie Wawa) is being prepared for marriage to a neighboring tribe member as part of a peace treaty. However, Wawa falls deeply in love with Dain (Mungau Dain), a young warrior in her tribe, and the feeling is mutual. As their forbidden love affair plays out, they must navigate the dangerous terrain of their tribal customs, which could separate them forever.

The film was directed by Australian filmmaker Bentley Dean and his wife, writer and producer Martin Butler. It was shot entirely on location, in Tanna itself, a small island nation in the southern Pacific Ocean. Half of the cast are professional actors, while the others are members of the Yakel tribe, who had never acted before but quickly learned the ropes.

The film’s beautiful cinematography is just one of its most notable aspects, capturing the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of the South Pacific. From the ceremonials dances to the rituals that underline each day, the movie immerses viewers in the Yakel way of life, in all its beauty and complexity.

One particularly striking element of Tanna is the way that it uses the story of Wawa and Dain to explore broader themes surrounding tradition, cultural identity, and modernity. By situating these two young lovers at the center of a conflict between their tribes, the movie gives us insight into the competing forces - of ancient custom against external influence, of peace against violence - that threaten to rip the island’s communities apart.

Throughout the film, we see how the Yakel people’s respect for honor and loyalty, as well as their fiercely held traditions, are often in tension with their desire to be part of the wider world. As they navigate the difficult terrain of a shifting society and changing global landscape, their daily existence is often precarious, and their customs are tested.

But even in the face of these challenges, Tanna manages to be a story of hope and resilience. The love story between Wawa and Dain is an example of the power of human connection, and the Yakel people’s unwavering commitment to tradition and each other is a testament to strength in the face of external change.

Ultimately, Tanna is a beautifully wrought film that will leave viewers moved and rejuvenated. With its deft interweaving of personal and political themes and its finely etched characters, the movie serves as both an exploration of Yakel culture and a tribute to the timeless themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice that are so central to the human experience.

Tanna is a 2016 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 75.

Tanna
Description
Where to Watch Tanna
Tanna is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Tanna for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2016
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 40 min
  • Language
    Bislama
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (4,646)
  • Metascore
    75