I was introduced to The Tale of the Coconut last night by Professor Craig Volker who was my English Teacher in Aiyura National High School from 1981-82 in Papua New Guinea. In this story, a Duke Of York traditional story (or legend) was taken and translated it into a modern film.
Prof Volker was involved in this project, which was made in Madina, New Ireland where he comes from. He was originally from the USA, but taught and lived most of his life in PNG and has adopted Madina as his village. This film is the first PNG children’s film produced in a Tok Ples – native tongue. There are also German, English, and Tok Pisin versions.
The film was produced and directed by Marc Thümmler.
THE TALE OF THE COCONUT // DIE LEGENDE DER KOKOSNUSS (2015)
Children’s film // Kinderfilm, 15 min, 2015
SYNOPSIS
When you turn around a coconut you will find a human face on its bottom side. The children’s film THE TALE OF THE COCONUT explains why this is the case. The children of Karawara Primary School tell us an old legend from their home, the Duke of York islands in Papua New Guinea.
THE TALE OF THE COCONUT recounts how a group of men from the island leave for Pigeon Island to go hunting. After the hunt, one of the men is left behind on Pigeon Island without a raft and has to swim back home by himself. On his trip back he is attacked by a shark.
At first he cleverly distracts it with the pigeons he caught. But then he runs out of pigeons…
If you want to watch this movie, here are the links;
I am happy to send you the links to the other language versions of the film that are now available online:
English version with optional French and Spanish subs
Ramoaaina version (Tok ples) with English subs
Tok Pisin version with English subs
German version
Tok Pisin version with German subs
hi tribalmysticstories , I am very much interested in the tale of the coconut . I come from a mix parentage of Duke of York and that is both educational for my family and also in my teaching . I would like to find out how I could get the 2 versions of the local duke of York vernacular and English version for my literacy lesson on myths and legends – my email kwaira@gmail.com
I am your favourable response
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Hi Kolis – thank you for visiting my blog. I am putting you in touch with the producer of the film, Marc Thummler to discuss your interest directly. I sent Marc an email and copied you in, so you should receive a copy with his email address. All the best.
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Omg. Where can we see this film?
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Thank you for visiting; you can view the film on vimeo. You can also contact the producer through the vimeo link. If you cannot manage to find it, let me know and I will try to get you access. 🙂
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Links to the movie – The Tale of the Coconut. This came from the producer. “I am happy to send you the links to the other language versions of the film that are now available online”:
English version with optional French and Spanish subs
Ramoaaina version (Tok ples) with English subs
Tok Pisin version with English subs
German version
Tok Pisin version with German subs
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Aaah, fresh musical storytelling brings joy to my being. I am tickled and inspired to see the film for sure, PNG magic! Thanx for sharing Joyce 🙂
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It is from a PNG myth about how the coconut got its face. 🙂 You’re welcome!
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