There Once was an Island

What if your community had to decide whether to leave their homeland forever and there was no help available? This is the reality for the culturally unique Polynesian community of Takuu, a tiny low-lying atoll in the South Western Pacific. As a terrifying tidal flood rips through their already damaged home, the Takuu community experiences the devastating effects of climate change first hand. In this verite-style film, three intrepid characters Telo, Endar and Satty, allow us into their lives and their culture and show us first hand the human impact of an environmental crisis.

Year of Release

2011

Duration

80 minutes

Format

HD, Color

Directors

Briar March Thumbnail

Briar March

Briar is a documentary filmmaker and Fulbright scholar. Fascinated by polarizing and colorful subject matter, and angered by environmental and human rights issues her films are diverse in style, but consistently grounded in a passionate desire to communicate. There Once was an Island: Te Henua e Nnoho, is Briar’s current project. She also directed the documentary feature Allie Eagle and Me, plus a number of music videos, magazine shows, and commercials. Briar has worked closely with filmmaker Annie Goldson, has a production company, On the Level Productions, with Lyn Collie and is currently completing an MFA at Stanford University in California.