The filming of a period film entitled “Far from the road” is being prepared from September 17 to 18, 2022 in the gardens of the town hall of Arue. Traffic may be interrupted between the Hall Museum and the Tearapae district. The film is expected to premiere in 2023.
“Loin de la route” retraces the arrival of Victor Segalen in Polynesia in 1903. Victor Segalen is the French writer of Immemorials, and the main character of the film which is currently being shot in Fenua. In the script, the writer plays a Navy doctor sent by France to retrieve Paul Gauguin’s belongings when he dies.
Means
This is a co-production with three boxes, including one local. More than fifty Polynesians are involved in this shoot.
“To make a period film in Polynesia, knowing that following the covid, all the prices have increased, it’s really a big budget. (…) It takes between 60 and 80 million Pacific francs“, underlines Maruia Richmond, one of the co-producers of the film. To help them finance the shooting, the producers are supported by the Country and certain municipalities of Polynesia (Arue, Hiva Oa and Moorea).
Costumes from 1903…
The local production box has been in contact with the production manager since July 2021. “It all came together. It was timely since we had to go to France. All costumes come from France and Europe. Because at home, you won’t find costumes from 1903.“The small roles are played by locals.
Sunday, a big scene should be shot in the gardens of the town hall of Arue transformed for the occasion.
In order to best reconstruct the living environment of the time, traffic may be interrupted at times between the James Norman Hall museum and the Tearapae district.
The film is set to premiere in September 2023.
