Warm, intimate biography of local roots musician and Rastafarian Tigilau Ness, whose quest for unity in the Pacific has taken him from protest to peace.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2008
From Street to Sky 2008
Local roots musician Tigilau Ness has waited 27 years to release his first album, and in many ways, this warm, intimate documentary portrait is a tribute to his patience. But 52-year-old Ness has been far from idle. Born in Auckland to Niuean parents, he came of age during turbulent times and the early part of his life was dedicated to protest. At 20, he joined the Polynesian Panthers, insisting that Maˉori and Pacific Islanders present a united front on issues of Maˉori sovereignty. In 1981 he was imprisoned after a Springbok Tour protest. Being in jail changed Ness and he became a devout Rastafarian. He is also father to a famous son: Che Fu. These days, he continues to deliver his message of unity among Pacific peoples, but he does so peacefully through song. From Street to Skydelivers a fascinating history lesson as well as an inspiring story of one man‘s difficult journey towards a state of grace. — BZ