Activism for the Pacific
PACIFIC activist, Fenton Lutunatabua has been through a remarkable journey of life, from the shores of Fiji to the world stage of climate action and filmmaking.
Born and raised in Fiji’s picturesque Pacific Harbour, Lutunatabua’s childhood was deeply intertwined with the ocean.
“I grew up in Fiji, Pacific Harbour, so I was constantly drawn to the ocean,” he said.
His grandparents, whom he visited during the holidays in Taveuni, nurtured his affinity for the ocean.
“My grandfather was a boat builder and fisherman, so the ocean was a huge part of my childhood.
His formative years at Veiuto Primary School shaped his leadership aspirations and commitment to community service.
“My activism sort of started when I was in primary school, where I was given a lot of leadership roles as a prefect and a student council member.”
Lutunatabua said all these roles, including the Christian camps he attended, shaped him to be resilient and responsible.
“We were having so much fun as kids but what we didn’t know was that we were being shaped to take on responsibilities in such a thoughtful way.
“Much of my desire to serve others, I would say, came from watching my parents raise us.”
Lutunatabua said his mother did the best she could with the little she had to support her family and her community. She inspired and humbled him.
He imagined fulfilling his service to others through law, however, his first job, at FM96 radio station, introduced him to the power of the voice.
“I did radio and television for a long time and in both cases, it was just about how we use our voice to tell a story.”
Lutunatabua’s journey into activism took flight with Greenpeace, where he volunteered to protect the oceans and combat climate change, from doing ship tours to being part of the launching of the MS Esperanza in 2000.
“While doing all of these, I began to realise that this thing (the ocean) that had nourished my family for generations, could now potentially destroy us.”
Being someone who had an affinity for the ocean, he understood the urgency of environmental action.
“I started my work with climate action, rounding up youths from across the region to do climate activism and that was like 10 years ago.
“We built a network that called ourselves the Pacific Island Warriors, that was almost 12 years ago and I’m still at it today.”
During COVID-19 pandemic, Lutunatabua found solace in storytelling, giving rise to his latest endeavour in the film Vakaraitaka.
“During the lockdown, I was looking for a creative project to keep my mind busy.
“So, I came up with this concept of a short film.”
Detailing the genesis of his cinematic project, Lutunatabua said his Pacific heritage and the real threat of climate change inspired Vakaraitaka.
“I was thinking of something which I could leave behind for my children, especially in a world wrecked by climate change.
“I wanted to leave something like a map that would help my children navigate through life.”
Collaborating with local artists and dancers, Lutunatabua
endeavours to amplify Pacific voices and showcase the beauty of his culture.
“I wanted to utilise the landscape that was at risk of being lost by climate change as well as showcase as many local artists as possible.”
Despite the challenges of filmmaking amid a global pandemic and personal milestones such as becoming a father, Lutunatabua remains steadfast in his dedication to storytelling and activism.
“It took me about three years to make and it took a lot of work putting that story out.
“And it was these moments I kept reminding myself that the whole purpose of telling a story is to capture this part of history.”
Lutunatabua’s advice to aspiring activists is to embrace their unique talents and show up for causes that matter.
“We need everyone to be in the future we want to build, bringing all of their gifts to the table.
“I think everyone has a beautiful story to tell, I think everyone is an expert of their own experiences.”
As Vakaraitaka prepares to make its world premiere at the Maoriland Film Festival, Lutunatabua’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring spirit of Pacific activism.
Mario Film Festival will be held in Otaki, New Zealand from New March
20 to 24 his year.