Return To Tuvalu - A Peace Corps Story

Talofa. Hello. We are pleased and grateful to share this 72-minute film with the world.

Two Returned Peace Corps Volunteers return to the small Pacific island country of Tuvalu 37 years after the conclusion of their service. Scott and Myra bring their now adult sons to Nukulaelae, an island of roughly 300 people, to experience the unique and beautiful culture of the place they called home for nearly 3 years. On their journey they face unpredictable travel schedules by sea and forces of nature that almost prevent them from reaching their coveted destination. Through challenges of uncertainty the family turns to their Tuvaluan friends, appreciating the beauty of the islands and catching up on a generation of missed time together. This is a story of human empathy and the value of cultural exchange, as well as a philosophical look into mankind’s relationship with nature, the prospect of climate change, and a celebration of the Peace Corps.

Directed and narrated by their youngest son, Nick, this is an attempt to tell a deeply personal story with far fewer resources than a typical documentary film. All images are from a GoPro camera, a Mavic Mini drone, old photographs from the 1980’s, and recent cell phone footage of tropical weather events.

Fakafetai. Thank you to all who participated or contributed to this video. We hope you enjoy. Alofa atu.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY : Nick Erickson
EDITED BY : Nick Erickson
MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY : Nick Erickson, Andrew Erickson, Scott Erickson
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Tusi Tapuaiga
SPECIAL THANKS TO :
Bikenibeu Paeniu
Foketi Paeniu
Toeupu Nivaga
Makaga Toematagi
Leopold Paeniu
Tusela Makaga
Tagisia Toematagi Efata
Mau Toematagi
Talauila Toematagi Teauli
Selau Toematagi
Tamiloga Toematagi Silo
Afelee Falema Pita
Lita Afelee
Falema Afelee
Stephanie Schreck

OUR FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION:
(Due to limit of characters please see full list at 01:11:43)

MUSIC:

“MAI TOU LEI MO MATOU IESU”
ENGLISH: ”BECAUSE OF YOUR GOODNESS TO US, JESUS”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY THE CHOIR OF THE CHURCH OF TUVALU
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“DAYS IN HOSPITAL”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY THE MANU TAGI MALIE GROUP
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“TĀLOFA KOUTOU KATOA I TE PO NEI”
ENGLISH: “WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY YOUTH CHOIR OF FUNAFUTI
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“ALTITUDE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MUTED
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“AQUARIUS”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY SPEARFISHER
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“SAUTALAGA A TAUTAI”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY STARCHEL SOLOSENI

“DOWSTREAM”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MUTED
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“PEACEFUL MIND”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“HOPE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“UNWANTED TEARS”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY PHILIP DANIEL ZACH
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“ETERNITY”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“HOPE (NO PIANO)”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY IAN POST
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“MEMORY AND FORGETTING (CELLO VERSION)”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY SPEARFISHER
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“TE ASO GALI”
ENGLISH: “THE SPLENDID DAY”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY NIUTAO PEOPLE LIVING IN FAKAIFOU
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“FEELING”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“BEING GRATEFUL”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“COURAGE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“KALAGA ATU TE LEO KI A LUPE”
ENGLISH: “A VOICE IS CALLING LUPE, BIRD, IT’S YOUR TURN TO GO”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY FAAFOI ASUELU
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“A TE OLAGA NEI”
ENGLISH: “THIS LIFE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY WOMEN’S CHOIR FROM VAIAKU
FROM THE ALBUM TUVALU: A POLYNESIAN ATOLL SOCIETY
COURTESY OF PAN RECORDS

“SILENCE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“COLD”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“ONE MOMENT”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“BURST”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“BRAVE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY BORRTEX
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“BETTER NOW”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY PHILIP DANIEL ZACH
COURTESY OF ARTLIST.IO

“TOFA TAKU PELE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY VANIAH TOLOA
FROM THE ALBUM TAUTAI OE
COURTESY OF KEILA RECORDS

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Видео Return To Tuvalu - A Peace Corps Story канала Nick Erickson