The next New Zealand feature to be seen on our screens will be
Paul Maunder's SONS FOR THE RETURN HOME, based on the novel of
the same name by Samoan author Albert Wendt. Of his novel, Wendt
says: "I think SONS is really a simple love story about different
types of love. Is is about every migrant's dream of the grand
return home; about racism, and about attempts to reach some
measure of racial understanding. Ultimately it is about youth:
about two young people trying to find themselves; about a young
Samoan who, through the tragedy of his deep love for a New
Zealand girl, learns who and what he is and learns to accept his
identity. To sound really grand, I think SONS FOR THE RETURN HOME
is about Polynesia - what it was, what it is, what it is
becoming." Shooting of the film was completed on schedule, with
locations not only in New Zealand but also in Western Samoa and
London. Strong international interest is being shown in the film
which has special appeal because of its Samoan locations.
February 1980
SONS FOR THE RETURN HOME had a successful five-week season in
Auckland's Westend Cinema followed by a further three weeks in
Auckland's suburbs toward the end of last year. It grossed more
than $50,000 in the city release, putting it among the top
earners and competing with the Hollywood blockbuster ROCKY II for
top figures. Writing in the AUCKLAND STAR, critic Nicholas Reid
said: "SONS FOR THE RETURN HOME is a humane film. It is bound to
promote greater racial and cultural understanding, which was
surely a large part of the film-makers' intentions, and it leaves
a wealth of sharp social observations to chew on ... Uelese
Petaia is a commanding presence - by turns reserved, shy, sullen
and angry, yet always giving the role of Sione a sense of
dignity. Moira Walker (as Sione's domineering mother) ... is
always convincing ... Writer-director Paul Maunder has filled
SONS FOR THE RETURN HOME with memorable and telling details ...
In many ways this country's most significant film to date."