Paul Wolffram is a director and producer. The New Zealander has been fascinated by other cultures since his childhood, particularly those of Oceania. He spent two years living in a community in Papua New Guinea, an experience that transformed his life. Today, he is presenting his documentary Marimari in competition at FIFO, a film whose title in Tok Pisin means “compassion.” We meet the director.
“’Ia ora na, kia ora et helo olgeta, je suis Paul Wolffram,” introduces the director. Paul Wolffram is a lover of nature and cultures, passionate about sharing stories. Currently based in Wellington, New Zealand, he has been working in the Pacific for 25 years. He notably spent two years in Papua New Guinea (PNG) during his research, living in a community in the tropical forests of New Ireland. This experience was life-changing and transformative.
During his time in PNG, he learned the language and how to survive in the wilderness. The future PhD candidate, curious about his new environment, tried to adapt and studied the traditional lifestyles of the indigenous people, including their music, dances, creative practices, and spirituality. “This deep immersion in another culture was an incredible experience, offering me a rich and varied perspective on the world,” says the now Dr. Paul Wolffram.
Since then, he has continued to travel between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. “I’ve made several films in collaboration with indigenous communities, but Marimari, presented this year at FIFO, is probably my most important film to date,” says the film production teacher at Victoria University with pride.
Though Papua New Guinea seems to be a second home for this fan of raw fish in coconut milk, he is excited to discover French Polynesia. “I’ve traveled a lot in the Pacific, but this is the first time I have the opportunity to discover these beautiful islands,” he says, excited for his first journey to French Polynesia.
With his first trip to French Polynesia and his first film in competition, the director hopes that through his documentary, the Polynesian public will become aware of another reality—the story of their Pacific cousins.
“My film Marimari, presented this year at FIFO, tells the incredible story of an indigenous woman who fights to save and rehabilitate survivors of witchcraft accusations in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Few people outside of PNG understand the extent of the violence related to these accusations. FIFO offers us a unique opportunity to share this reality with our Pacific brothers and sisters. The violence related to witchcraft accusations is a growing problem in PNG, and those affected need the support of other Pacific nations to confront this situation,” he insists.
Raising awareness, sensitizing the public, and helping to better understand the plight of this indigenous population is something that matters deeply to him.
However, he warns: “The documentary is hard to watch, sometimes brutal and disturbing, but it also highlights the story of Evelyn Kunda, an incredibly brave woman from the Simbu province in the Eastern Highlands of PNG. She risks her life to help survivors of violence related to witchcraft accusations. Evelyn offers an indigenous solution to this issue and embodies an example of someone fighting for change, even when everyone around her is too afraid to act.”
Compassion has been our kaupapa (North Star).
With sincerity, Paul Wolffram explains why he is so determined to tell this particular story: “Living in remote villages in PNG was a rare privilege. My work with communities in the islands of PNG led me toward filmmaking and academia. In 2017, while volunteering and teaching at the University of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands of PNG, I was confronted with the reality of violence linked to witchcraft accusations. I decided to use my cultural and linguistic knowledge to help combat this phenomenon. The film Marimari took seven years to complete. I hope the Tahitian audience will recognize and appreciate the incredible mana of Evelyn Kunda, the protagonist of the film.”
Today, he reflects on his early years in the tropical rainforest of Papua New Guinea, which taught him the importance of community. With humility, he recalls: “When I arrived, I didn’t know how to grow my own food, use a machete, or survive in this environment. I will always be grateful to the members of my host community who taught me to survive, speak, fish, sing, and dance.”
Closely connected to the people, he explains, “The title of the film, Marimari, is a word in Tok Pisin that means ‘compassion.’ Compassion has been our kaupapa (goal) throughout the production and postproduction of the film. It guided us in the way we told this story and collaborated with all those involved. The film offers a perspective on both the survivors and the perpetrators of witchcraft-related violence. I did my best to treat and represent both with care and compassion.”
While Papua New Guinea has provided him with new insights into different cultures, Paul refocuses the debate. “Oceania is my home, and I believe it is also the most beautiful region in the world. I also see it as a sanctuary. Many Pacific peoples still live in harmony with nature, their traditions, and their ancestral knowledge. These communities hold precious wisdom that can help the entire world coexist better with the environment, a major challenge we all face today.”
Passionate about storytelling and exploring the limits of art and narrative, he asserts, “Fortunately, the world is an endless source of inspiration, and we are lucky to live in a region rich in stories and generous people who are willing to share them.”
Today, the professor hopes to find an international audience for Marimari. He adds, “I’m also working with communities in the Highlands of PNG on short, humorous videos to prevent violence, aimed at young people.”
In the meantime, the man who enjoys listening to “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley—“because everyone loves Bob!”—is preparing to spend at least a week in French Polynesia. And while it may not resemble the place that represents him—East Cape, on the North Island of Aotearoa, a wild and untamed region of New Zealand—he is excited to discover another culture.
And perhaps, go on a hike. “I spend my free time hiking in nature with my family, in the mountains, rivers, and native forests of Aotearoa. In New Zealand, we call it ‘tramping,’ and my family loves it!” shares Paul.
With quiet humility, Paul hopes to tell new stories and share his experiences, along with those of other cultures.
Jenny Hunter & Vaikehu Shan
French