By Ema Ganivatu
A collaboration between Fiji and Australia is set to bring a powerful and untold historical story to the screen.
Unspoken, a joint production between Salt of the Earth Productions (SoTE) in Sydney and local Fijian filmmakers, tells the story of forbidden love and racial divides in colonial Fiji.
Led by Fiji-born, Melbourne-based writer-director Iva Tora, Unspoken promises to be visually stunning and thought-provoking, delving into a story that has long been left in the shadows.
The plot centers around Laisa, a Fijian maid and nanny to a British couple, Spencer and Daphne Burridge, and their young son. The story explores the intense relationship that ignites between Laisa and Spencer when Daphne is sent to London for health reasons.
“Unspoken is about breaking barriers on screen and behind the scenes,” says Tora, who aims to create a sustainable film industry in Fiji where local talent can tell their stories.
“We’ve got grassroots stories here that are far more authentic, but we need to get people skilled up and levelled up so that they can start performing,” Tora explained in a recent interview with Fiji Traveller.
Fijian filmmaker Lani Mokosoi is Unspoken’s production manager, while Ateca Ravuvu leads the casting. Key roles in sound, wardrobe, continuity, and assistant directing will see experienced Australian crew members mentoring local talent, helping build Fijian film industry capacity.
“Unspoken shines a light on a history rarely discussed,” says SoTE Producer Cinzia Guaraldi. “In colonial Fiji, strict racial divides governed society. This show explores what happens when love dares to defy those rules.” The production’s broader goal is to elevate the local film industry. “We want to create and give people skills and a voice, so they can continue telling their own stories,” Tora adds.
The story takes place in 1995, with future episodes spanning earlier years, and it reflects on the history and struggles of Fiji under colonial rule. Tora envisions big opportunities for emerging Fijian talent. “Can you imagine if women like Laisa, the main lead, got the exposure they could get from this?” Tora asks. We have beautiful, confident women here. Imagine if they had the skills and exposure—they could make it big.”
Fiji’s official film commission, Film Fiji, has expressed its support for the project, with Mokosoi working closely with them to bring the creative vision to life. With nearly 20 years in the industry, Mokosoi believes that the timing of the production is perfect for Fiji. “The story, the structure, and the way it can benefit the film industry and economy here in Fiji—it’s exactly what we need,” she said.
One of the highlights of the production process has been the teamwork and camaraderie among the crew, particularly given the fact that many of the key roles in the project are held by women.
“During the auditions, we were all women in the room,” Mokosoi said. The film industry is naturally male dominated but seeing so many women come together to create something meaningful is truly empowering.”
