RED, WHITE AND BRASS
Director: Damon Fepuleai
Cast: John-Paul Foliaki, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Ilaisaane Green, Onetoto Ikavuka, Mikey Falesiu
Rating: (PG) ★★★+
REVIEWED BY JEREMY QUINN
The 2011 Rugby World Cup pool match between Tonga and France forms the backdrop to this unashamedly feel-good Kiwi comedy inspired by the true story of a Tongan church group in Wellington who devised a scheme to get tickets by forming a makeshift brass band to perform before the game.
Red, White and Brass (Rialto, Reading) may not be the most polished movie around, but it more than makes up for it with its charm, charisma and infectious good nature, proving that all the money in the world doesn’t mean a thing if you’ve not got the heart to back it up... which is also kind of the point.
Cousins Maka (John-Paul Foliaki) and Veni (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) have been raising funds for their local church to attend the game, but after being scammed into buying counterfeit tickets they are forced to come up with another plan.
Somehow, this involves auditioning for the pre-match entertainment, and starting a marching band to represent Tonga on the world stage seems like their only chance. The problem, of course, is that no-one can play any instruments, let alone march, and the game is only one month away.
You know how it’s going to end, but the joy is in the journey, which is packed with all the ups and downs you might expect, it’s often very funny comedic scenes intertwined with some surprisingly emotional moments.
It’s also a wonderful showcase for the Tongan community that will play like gangbusters in a packed house.
