Next Disney princess is Polynesian

An image from the upcoming Disney film Moana, which features a Polynesian princess.

Pasifika community hope film-makers respect legend and culture in new movie

Disney's long hand has reached the South Pacific at last, with the world-famous film company announcing the release of a film based on its first Polynesian princess: Moana.

And despite the overall excitement, some Pacific Islanders say they hope the film-makers are careful about their treatment of ancient Polynesian legends to avoid upset later.

Walt Disney Animation Studios this week announced that it was now set to release the new film in late 2016 - two years earlier than first expected.

It was revealed top film-makers Ron Clements and John Musker - who worked on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog - will be taking the reins for the latest work.

Clements said: "Creating Moana is one of the great thrills of our career. It's a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania."

Set 200 years in the past, the film follows the adventures of a young girl, Moana, who has a special connection to her namesake - the sea. She sets sail in a bid to discover a fabled island and also meets the legendary Maori demi-god, Maui, along the way.

"Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself," Musker said. "She's the kind of character we all root for and we can't wait to introduce her to audiences."

Kiwi film-maker Taika Waititi is involved in the film, having written the original script.

Waititi did not return messages yesterday.

But Kiwi actor and writer Oscar Kightley said he was looking forward to seeing Disney's portrayal of a Pacific story. "I'm excited about seeing it. I can't wait. I just don't think we should judge it until they make it and we see it."

Other Pacific Islanders, however, admit they are worried the film might have negative effects.

A television presenter and producer of several Pacific documentaries, Lisa Taouma, said there was a need to tread carefully around potentially sensitive cultural aspects.

"Ethnics and exotics have long been used in Hollywood to add spice to the dull dish that is white mainstream culture," she said.

"Disney has done what most big commercial productions do - shape indigenous people and their stories into something palatable for the mainstream market."

Taouma said it was good to see the legend of Maui intertwined into the film, as it would introduce a new audience to Maori and Pasifika folklore.

"I hope that there is just some integrity to the central Polynesian characters and the storyline and they don't follow the previously established screen traditions of us being jolly Polys - simplistic people that need saving and dusky maidens waiting for the white man or noble but savage warrior.

"I hope that Taika ... is able to have enough weight on this production to give it an authentic voice that will ring true with a Pacific audience."