“We sweat and cry salt water, so we know that the ocean is really in our blood.”— Teresia Teaiwa. Vai (2019) is now streaming on Tubi. This film was made by 9 Pasifika Women, in 7 different Pacific countries, following the life journey of a young woman named Vai.

You can watch the film free on your web browser or download the tubi app. https://tubitv.com/movies/516281/vai

The portion of Vai set in Sāmoa moved me to tears. Marina Alofagia McCartney directed this segment portraying ancestral spirituality and how a deep connection to one’s ancestors can bring one strength and peace.

It’s funny because I didn’t even process that it was her ancestors standing beside their own graves at first and that only she could see them. I thought they were part of the procession. My 12 year old niece was the one who pointed it out to me.