To our (extensive) knowledge Mysterious Ways is the first New Zealand Pacific queer film we have ever seen. It’s an interracial love story of Peter, a vicar who wants a church wedding with his boyfriend Jason, who is Samoan. For Anglicans, this is not allowed, and homosexuality itself is still very taboo in Samoan culture. When news of the marriage makes headlines a media storm erupts, and God is forced to step in!
There is real chemistry between the leads, established British actor Richard Short (Mary Kills People, Tragedy of Macbeth) and screen newcomer Nick Afoa – who bravely takes on the controversial role after a successful stage career, most famously as Simba in the London West End theatre production of The Lion King.
The film also marks one of the first on-screen representations of what is known in the Samoan community as a fa’afafine in the shape of Billy played by relative newcomer Joe Malu Folau. An integral part of Samoan culture, fa’afafine are assigned male identity at birth, but explicitly embody both masculine and feminine gender traits in a way unique to Polynesia.
Written by Dianna Fuemana, Harry McNaughton alongside director Paul Oremland, the film has been acquired by distributor Ariztical Entertainment who plans a multi-platform digital release in 2024.
Labels: 2023, Mysterious Ways, New Zealand Pacific, Nick Ofoa, Paul Oremland, preview, queer love story, Richard Short, Samoan
