When the Man Went South is a 2014 drama film directed by Alex Noyer and Jérôme Nueur. It stars Soane Prescott, Kelepi Fonohema, and Sione Ma'u. The film tells the story of Tevita, a young man from Tonga who moves to New Zealand to start a new life. Tevita hopes to make a better life for himself and his family, but soon realizes that the reality is much harsher than he anticipated.
The film is set in a small town in New Zealand, where Tevita arrives with only a few dollars in his pocket. He is taken under the wing of a local Tongan family, who provide him with a place to stay and help him find work. Tevita quickly learns that life in New Zealand is not as easy as he thought it would be. He faces discrimination and struggles to make ends meet.
As Tevita tries to adjust to his new life, he must also deal with the pressures and expectations of his family back home. They see him as their hope for a better future and constantly remind him of what is at stake. Tevita's struggle to balance his own aspirations with the expectations of his family is a central theme of the film.
The film also explores issues of identity and belonging. Tevita grapples with his Tongan heritage and what it means to be a Tongan in New Zealand. He encounters other Tongan immigrants who have made the difficult choice to assimilate into mainstream New Zealand culture, and he must decide for himself which path to take.
The performances in the film are strong, particularly from the lead actor Soane Prescott. He brings a quiet strength to the role of Tevita and conveys a sense of vulnerability that makes him easy to root for. Kelepi Fonohema and Sione Ma'u also excel in their supporting roles, bringing depth and complexity to their characters.
The cinematography in the film is stunning, capturing the beauty of the New Zealand landscape as well as the grittiness of the urban environments where Tevita works. The film's music, featuring traditional Tongan songs and contemporary hip-hop, is also a standout.
Overall, When the Man Went South is a powerful and poignant film that explores the challenges faced by immigrants trying to make a new life in a foreign country. It is a story of hope and struggle, of family and community, and of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. The filmmakers have created a nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of the immigrant experience that is sure to resonate with audiences around the world.
When the Man Went South is a 2014 adventure movie with a runtime of 83 hours.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.
