Tanna (2016)
86%RT Audience Score: 76%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Powerful visuals, naturalistic performances, and economic filmmaking combine to bring added resonance to Tanna’s impactful story and fresh cultural perspective
Tanna is like a breath of fresh air in the world of cinema. It’s a beautiful story of love, loss, and survival that will leave you feeling both emotional and inspired. The stunning scenery and authentic performances from non-professional actors make this film a true gem. Plus, who doesn’t love a good revenge plot mixed in with some desire for peace? Tanna is a must-watch for anyone looking for a unique and captivating cinematic experience.
Production Company(ies)
Canal+ España Canal+ La Fabrique 2
Distributor
Lightyear
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 44m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:Australia
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 7, 2017
Genre(s)
Romance/Drama
Keyword(s)
Romance, Drama, Adventure, Tanna, 2015, 1h 44m, directed by Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, written by Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, John Collee, produced by Martin Butler, Bentley Dean, Carolyn Johnson, starring Marie Wawa, Mungau Dain, Marceline Rofit, Charlie Kahla, Lingai Kowia, Albi Nangia, reviewed by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Brad Wheeler, Peter Howell, Phil Hoad, Barbara VanDenburgh, Tom Long, Dolby Digital, Lightyear, $5.7K, MPAA rating, traditional culture, arranged marriage, individual freedom, Yakel people, South Pacific island, naturalistic performances, economic filmmaking, powerful visuals, fresh cultural perspective, emotional notes, revenge, peace, survival, grief, anger, desire, Romeo and Juliet, volcanic landscapes, patriarchal society, feud between tribes, loyalty, family, communication, rainforest, hard to watch realistic events, beautiful imagery, low-budget, hard film to accomplish, awards-praise, critical acclaim, well-made picture, emotional moments, impact, solid film
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Mungau Dain – Dain
Marceline Rofit – Selin
Charlie Kahla – Chief Charlie
Lingai Kowia – Father
Albi Nangia – Grandfather and Shaman
Director(s)
Bentley Dean, Martin Butler
Writer(s)
Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, John Collee
Producer(s)
Martin Butler, Bentley Dean, Carolyn Johnson
Film Festivals
Venice
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (3)
Tanna is an exquisite story of survival, evolution, grief, anger and desire: not just romantic desire, but that for both revenge and peace.
August 25, 2018
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Blue Lenses
TOP CRITIC
The film uses its 100 minutes smartly. Emotional notes are hit neatly and refreshingly.
June 2, 2017
Brad Wheeler
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Aussie co-directors Martin Butler and Bentley Dean prize authenticity over conventional drama.
June 1, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
An open-throated and universal call for change from within.
February 16, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Phil Hoad
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The scenery throughout is elemental in force: sparking lava, lapping waves, volcanic dust and gnarled kava roots create an almost mythical atmosphere.
February 9, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/5
Barbara VanDenburgh
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
The performances here, from complete nonprofessionals, make you wonder whether acting is as much a natural inheritance as a trained craft.
October 14, 2016 | Rating: B+
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
…a truly one-of-a-kind cinematic experience that thrills both as a marvel of filmmaking, and as a document of a world that, to many of us, would appear to be a land before time, safeguarded from the destructive arrival of the white man.
July 19, 2021 | Rating: A-
Glenn Dunks
Glenn Dunks
In translating this story to a cinematic experience, Butler and Dean have shared a bit of the Yakel people with the world in a new and innovative way, and the importance of such a cultural artifact cannot be understated.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Monson
Substream Magazine
The Yakels allowed Dean considerable access into their lives and stories, all of which color Tanna’s impressive results.
August 6, 2019
Michael J. Casey
Boulder Weekly
Tanna combines visual beauty, sympathetic characters, and an underlying message concerning cultural survival into a rich viewing experience.
March 21, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Phil Guie
Film-Forward.com
Some sequences sag, through little more than familiarity, but Tanna largely engages and, when the rhythms really click, moves with spine-tingling depth.
March 6, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Calum Baker
One Room With A View
Tanna has an elemental beauty that is difficult to resist, and the lives and rituals of the Vanuatuan tribes are captured with a superb degree of fidelity and sensitivity.
October 5, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tomas Trussow
The Lonely Film Critic…
Plot
After a young woman runs away with the man she loves to avoid an arranged marriage, the villagers of Tanna must decide whether to preserve their traditional culture or adapt to outside demands for individual freedom.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t provide any tidbits about the cast of Tanna, but they do mention that the film features “naturalistic performances” from non-professional actors.
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