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Hifi Ulu

Chantelle Burgoyne / Hayley Felise
Running time: 10

When your culture rests on your shoulders

Luka is a boy full of action and adventure, distinguished by his long, uncut hair—a proud symbol of his Niuean heritage. As his tenth birthday approaches, Luka prepares for the Hifi Ulu ceremony, a rite of passage that will mark his transition into young manhood. Navigating this milestone in his own unique way, Luka’s journey is quietly mirrored by his father’s unresolved feelings, having never experienced the ceremony himself. As the day draws near, anticipation builds, leaving everyone to wonder how Luka truly feels about this pivotal moment in his life.

Director Chantelle Burgoyne, Luka’s Aunt, brings a deeply personal and intimate perspective to Hifi Ulu. More than just a haircut, this deeply rooted Niuean rite symbolises a boy’s readiness for greater family and community responsibilities, reflecting the broader struggle to maintain cultural identity in a rapidly changing world. With powerful access and honesty, Hifi Ulu becomes an evocative and impactful exploration of cultural survival and personal growth, resonating far beyond its specific cultural roots.

Last year, we were supposed to cut his hair… I don’t feel like I was ready. Perhaps Luka was ready. Shayne (Dad)

About the Filmmakers

Chantelle Burgoyne

Chantelle is a filmmaker of Samoan, Tongan and European heritage with a first-class MA in Screen Production specialising in directing drama from the University of Auckland. She has written and directed several short films that have screened in festivals in New Zealand and internationally. Most recently, she directed one of the chapters of the anthology feature film We Are Still Here which opened the 69th Sydney Film Festival in 2022 and won the prize for best dramatic feature film at the imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival.

Hayley Felise

Hayley is a Dutch-Pākehā television, film, commercial and theatre producer with a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Television and Screen Production (AUT, 2015). She’s worked on documentaries No Māori Allowed, Waiata Anthems, Arranged, The Elephant in the Bedroom, and Griff’s Canadian Adventure, drama-comedy Happiness is the Path and comedies Bouncers and Camp Be Better. Hayley production managed in the local production and commissioning team at Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand, and edited current affairs shows Te Kaea and Te Ao Whakaata Māori.

Season 10

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