FOR MY FATHER’S KINGDOM

This feature follows director Vea Mafile’o’s father, Tongan migrant pensioner Saia Mafile’o. Driven by his deep faith in God and Tongan culture, pensioner Saia Mafile’o carefully navigates not only the rough streets of South Auckland, but also his sometimes-fraught relationship with his New Zealand-born son Robert, who struggles to accept his father’s commitment to a Kingdom that tore their family apart.

Director Biographies:

Tongan Kiwi Vea Mafile’o began her screen career in the art department, drawing on her university studies in Visual Arts. Alongside being a prolific artist, she worked as an art director for television (Pacific Beat Street) and on a run of short films (Broken Silence). Mafile’o has also done time in the director’s chair, helming several TV shows including Tagata Pasifika, Fresh and I AM TV. In 2015 she founded production company Malosi Pictures with her partner Jeremiah Tauamiti. In 2019 the pair debuted their first feature at the Berlin Film Festival: documentary For My Father’s Kingdom, about Vea’s father Saia Mafile’o.

Kiwi Samoan Jeremiah Tauamiti started his career as a camera operator (Fresh), before going on to direct films of his own, including shorts Maria and Liliu. His 48 Hours Film Festival team Goodfellas are perennial award contenders. Tauamiti has also acted in short films, such as The Promise of Piha and My Friend Michael Jones. In 2019 he co-directed his first feature For My Father’s Kingdom with partner Vea Mafile’o. The documentary, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, is about Mafile’o’s Tongan father, Saia.

Co-presented by: East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

THIS FILM IS AVAILABLE ON CAAMFEST ON-DEMAND.

Plays in

PACIFIC SHOWCASE

For many years, CAAMFest has partnered with Pacific Islanders in Communication (PIC) to bring stories from the Pacific Islands to Bay Area audiences. We are thrilled to continue this legacy through our virtual festival.