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Meg-172
Reviews
Sione's Wedding (2006)
Funny at times, but film has negative stereotypes - nothing new!
You may not like what I have to say, but I'm going to say it, anyway.
My long-time sweetheart is a high chief in a large Samoan family. Over the course of our 20-year relationship, I have attended many family events with him. We were excited to see this film to compare how they do Samoan weddings in New Zealand, vs. Hawaii, where we live.
While we enjoyed it on one level and laughed along with the others, as I reflected on the film afterward, I realized how you missed an opportunity here. As we were walking out of the theater, I commented to him that they should have filmed his family weddings - you would have seen the prayers they offer, the Samoan hymns they sing spontaneously, the dance by both bride and groom, usually in native dress brought from Samoa, the presentation of gifts to the ministers and to the high chiefs of the family.
Instead, you presented the same old negative stereotypes of Samoans - getting drunk and starting fights. I know stereotypes can be chipped away when we're presented with new information. For example, my friend's son is a pastor and father to 8 children - all good kids - other family members are police officer, diabetes educator, fire-fighter, serve in Iraq, etc. There has never been a drunken fight at any family event!
I realize you are making a comedy - but I wish you had given the audience something MORE than what you did. I know some black actors are refusing roles that promote negative stereotypes of them, so think about it. Make it funny, but make it real!