Kingdom of Kings

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THE FILM

KINGDOM OF KINGS is a Tongan documentary-drama feature film. A tiny Pacific Kingdom ravaged by poverty, obesity and climate events assemble their finest resource from across the globe - rugby players. But, have they got what it takes to defend their line, their country, their culture, and bring home the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Under funded, under resourced and under pressure this team must find a way to do what past teams have never done before - qualify for the knock-out stages. Because once you get to this stage anything can happen.

In this docu-drama we look at the many issues Tongans face everyday through the microcosm of their beloved national rugby team - the Ikale Tahi. 

But when the team come home to greet their adoring and frenzied fans they see what has become of their homeland. Rising tides wash away homes, islands and livelihoods. The effects of poverty - obesity and diabetes are rife. Can they bring their people hope?

This is Tonga's story.

BACKGROUND

Director / Creator, Sebastian Hurrell: Growing up playing rugby in Tonga, my friends and I would play a game whereby we picked our best Ikale Tahi team. Sadly the best Tongan players were usually not available to play for our home country. In 2022 World Rugby announced a change in eligibility rules which allowed many of Tonga’s finest players to finally play for their homeland. It was then that I saw an opportunity to document history. 

We began filming in November 2022 and our story appeared clear - underdogs taking on the world. But, as we talked to team members other themes appeared - poverty, hardship, sacrifice. And during a trip to Tonga in January 2023 I was shocked by the amount of damage caused by tidal rising and recent climate events. The story grew.

More research provided evidence of what we were seeing and what Tongans grown up with - Tonga has incredibly high rates of obesity and diabetes and the climate threats to the country are significant, dangerous and ever-increasing.

KINGDOM OF KINGS has become more than a story of rugby players making sacrifices to their families, its become a story of a countries survival, a peoples’ resilience and the gift of hope.

WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED SO FAR

We have self funded the film to date, filming the team during their unbeaten Northern Tour in November 2022.

We have been with them as they gathered in France to plan thier conquests in 2023. We have interviewed the administrators and the Prime Minister in Tonga. We have interviewed fans. The people in this team and the people of Tonga have opened their homes and their hearts to us and we are forever grateful.

This is their story.

We acknowledge that we couldn't have gotten this far without the support and generosity of our colleagues and peers. However, we need the support of the community to finish what we have started and to ensure the film is completed and this story is told.

THE TEAM

Creator, Director | Sebastian Hurrell (Ma’ufanga/Auckland)

NZ born, Tonga raised Sebastian has worked in theatre, television and film for nearly 30 years. He has always had a passion for storytelling, for rugby and for his homeland. With Kingdom of Kings he has brought these passions together in an attempt to raise awareness of the many social and climate issues Tongans face everyday. The end goal is to set up a studio in the Kingdom so more Tongans get the chance to tell their own stories to the world.

KINGDOM OF KINGS is also very fortunate to have the following team on board: 

Director | Vea Mafile'o (For My Fathers Kingdom, The Panthers)

Producers | Mia Tierney-Henry (Baby Mamas Club, Mana Wahine, WE ARE STILL HERE), Putiputira Simich, Awanui Simich-Pene

Executive Producers | Sandra Kailahi (One Winter, For My Fathers Kingdom) & Halaifonua Finau (The Panthers, Red White and Brass)

Editor | Sam Leauanae

Cinematographer | Greg Parker

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We invite your participation in bringing this special film to life. We are now running a 30-day donation-based crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 to go towards completing principal photography. 

This will ensure that our small crew can continue travelling with the Tongan Rugby Team to lead up to the World Cup.

Your generous donation will go towards production expenses for the film such as our four crew and their equipment travelling with the team over the next three months, the crews accommodation, transfers, transport and catering. 

They will travel with the Ikale Tahi to Tonga for games against Australia and Canada, and to Japan. 

Our crew will be interviewing parliamentarians, activists and locals about the health and climate issues that Tonga is facing. And, 50 years on from Tonga’s only victory against Australia, we will be in Tonga as the Ikale Tahi of 1973 are honoured for their contribution to rugby and to Tonga.

If we hit our target then will have a stretch goal of $80,000 this will cover all travel and shoot expenses. We’re applying for further funding from the NZFC alongside this Boosted Campaign to contribute to the film funding but this isn’t guaranteed so every dollar will help.

Please help us reach our target by making a tax-deductible donation to our campaign.

To help us even further - please share this page with your networks.

People can only give their support if they know about our film.

Please help us spread the word!

Malo Lahi Aupito

TEKE TONGA!