Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival is proud to sponsor the world premiere screening of Mark Papali’I’s documentary on Fonotī Pati Umaga.
The world premiere of Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan was an undeniable highlight of this year’s Festival — a raw, funny and inspirational moment for artists and audiences.
In bringing Fonotī Pati Umaga’s extraordinary story to the stage, the show’s reflection on resilience and hope was also beautifully amplified through the unheard voices of Pacific people living with disabilities; a community Pati continues to tirelessly advocate for.
Pati’s journey from successful musician, to his life-altering fall in 2005, to his recovery and renewed purpose, is now the subject of a new documentary, My Humble Friend, Fonotī Pati Umaga. Directed by Mark Papali’i, the film features interviews from Music Portrait collaborators Oscar Kightley and Maiava Nathaniel Lees alongside close friends and family.
The Festival is honoured to tautoko this screen celebration of Pati’s incredible story and mahi towards disability awareness, following our co-commissioning and presentation of Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan.
My Humble Friend, Fonotī Pati Umaga screens on 1 August, 10.00am at SkyCity Theatre as part of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival in Tāmaki Makaurau. A Q&A will follow the screening.
