{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Marks of Mana | image = | alt = | caption = | native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} --> | director = Lisa Taouma | writer = Lisa Taouma | screenplay = | story = | based_on = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} --> | producer = Lisa Taouma | starring = | narrator = | cinematography = Hayden Aull, Jake Farani, Elizabeth Koroivulaono, Twayne Laumua, Faanati Mamea, Christo Montes, Arthur Rasmussen<br>Julia Mage-au Gray (Papua New Guinea) | editing = Sacha Campbell, Damon Fepulea'i, Mario Gaoa, Daniel Habedank (online editor), Twayne Laumua | music = Mema Wilda | studio = | distributor = | released = {{Film date|2018}} | runtime = 56 min | country = New Zealand | language = | budget = | gross = }}
'''''Marks of Mana''''' is a documentary about Pacific female tattooing. It is the first film to cover the subject. ==Background== The film was produced and directed by Lisa Taouma, a New Zealand film maker of Samoan ancestry.<ref>Queensland Multicultural Center, 7 Apr 2024 - [https://qmc.org.au/events/pasifika-wave-presents-marks-mana/ Pasifika Wave presents Marks of Mana]</ref><ref>''The Guardian'', Sat 30 Jan 2021 - [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/we-had-no-paper-but-we-had-our-bodies-the-sacred-and-symbolic-in-polynesian-tattoos We had no paper, but we had our bodies': the sacred and symbolic in Polynesian tattoos - Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson]</ref> It features Samoan tatau artist Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou of an indigenous tattoo studio on K’ Road called Karanga Ink. In the film she returns to Samoa to learn more and reconnect.<ref>NZ on Screen - [https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/marks-of-mana-2018 Marks of Mana]</ref>
The film won the 2018 best documentary award at the ''imagineNATIVE'' indigenous film festival in Toronto, Canada and the Best Cinematography award at the DocEdge Festival in Aotearoa 2019.<ref>Omny.fm, 20 Nov 2020 - [https://omny.fm/shows/pacificmedianetwork/lisa-taouma-marks-of-mana-wins-best-pasifika-progr Pacific Media Network, Description]</ref> It also won the Best Pasifika Programme at the 2020 New Zealand TV Awards.<ref>Omny.fm, 20 Nov 2020 - [https://omny.fm/shows/pacificmedianetwork/lisa-taouma-marks-of-mana-wins-best-pasifika-progr Pacific Media Network, Lisa Taouma - "Marks of Mana" wins Best Pasifika Programme at New Zealand TV Awards 2020.]</ref>
The song "Pese o le tatau" which was performed by Mema Wilda was commissioned for the film.<ref>Digital Pasifik - [https://digitalpasifik.org/items/77544 Pese o le tatau]</ref> ==Reception== The film had its New Zealand premiere in Wellington. It was also set to screen at the ''imagineNATIVE'' indigenous film festival in Toronto, Canada in the week following the Wellington premiere.<ref>Radio New Zealand, 14 October 2018 - [https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/2018666748/marks-of-mana-the-first-film-dedicated-to-female-tattooing-in-the-pacific Marks of Mana: the first film dedicated to female tattooing in the Pacific]</ref>
On 6 June 2021, the film was screened at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.<ref>Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 21 June 2021 - [https://dunedin.art.museum/events/marks-of-mana/?date=2021-06-06 Marks of Mana]</ref>
The screening at the Queensland Multicultural Center which included a Q&A session with director Lisa Taouma, tatau artist Julia Gray, Maryann Talia Pau and Lanatina from House of Iliganoa was sold out.<ref>Queensland Multicultural Center, 7 Apr 2024 - [https://qmc.org.au/events/pasifika-wave-presents-marks-mana/ Pasifika Wave presents Marks of Mana]</ref> ==Credits== * Actor: Goddess - Cheyenne Maiava, Susana Paese Si'a * Additional footage - Julia Mage-au Gray (Papua New Guinea) * Art design - Linda Lepou * Camera - Hayden Aull, Jake Farani, Elizabeth Koroivulaono, Twayne Laumua, Faanati Mamea, Christo Montes, Arthur Rasmussen * Director - Lisa Taouma * Editor - Sacha Campbell, Damon Fepulea'i, Mario Gaoa, Daniel Habedank (online editor), Twayne Laumua * Producer - Kay Ellmers (executive), Lisa Taouma * Production Manager - Natasha Panui-Morris * Set and design - Paul Scheuer * Sound - Colleen Brennan, Marcus Lawson, Wilhelm Voigt * Subject research - Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou * Voice over - (Legend section) Goretti Chadwick <ref>NZ on Screen - [https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/marks-of-mana-2018/credits Marks of Mana, Credits]</ref>
==Further reading== * Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 4 May 2024 - [https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/tatau-ancient-artform-samoa-pacific-tattooing-women-revival-au/103669512 Meet the women practicing the ancient tradition of Sāmoan tatau By Dinah Lewis Boucher]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * Imdb - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27773514/ Marks of Mana]
Category:2018 films Category:Films about tattooing Category:Documentary films about women Category:Documentary films about Oceania Category:Women in Samoa Category:Culture of Samoa Category:New Zealand documentary films Category:2010s New Zealand films