After a mesmerizing experience in French Polynesia and Paris, the first short film/doc we filmed is about so much that belongs to life in French Polynesia. It is as much about Aremiti's music as his love of life for living in FP despite the cleavages of living in a colonized territory. Facing the nuclear past and traumas unimaginable to those of us living in states of power and privilege, I think Aremiti inspired me so much to complete this film. I hope I did justice to the humanity he imbued to the world and us through his words and music.
Thus, a million thank-you-s to Aremiti for sitting down with me-giving me a chance to interview him and sharing his music with us. Even though he is some 6,000 miles away from NYC, hopefully, one day, he can be in NYC to share his music. Make it happen, Columbia! For this short documentary, we filmed it in Aora'i Tini Hau, near Papeete (in Pīra'e), where Aremiti used to perform a lot. I hope everyone who watches this short documentary can listen to more of Aremistic's music. And through the beautiful work of Redd and Victoire, you will have a taste of the atmosphere of French Polynesia that has become so invaluable to me after this whole experience.
In conversation with Aremiti "Aremistic" Chansin
Directing & Editing: Jefferson Sheng
Cinematography & Sound: Redd Coltrane Ingram, Victoire Mandonnaud
Special thanks to:
Aremiti “Aremistic” Chansin
Professor Emlyn Hughes & Ivana Hughes
Pierre Cristofari
The “Encanto” Family