THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO

Year: 2003
USA: Innovation Film Group / Number 8 Productions
Cast: George Henarem, Rawiri Paratene, Joe Falou, Alvin Fitisemanu, Kayte Ferguson, Peter Sa'ena Brown, Hori Ahipene, Jim Perry, Sima Urale, Goeretti Chadwick, Tausani Simei-Barton, Fokikovi Soakimi
Director: Steven Ramirez
Country: New Zealand
USA: 91 mins
USA Rated: G
USA Release Date: 29 August 2003 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

What if you were born to be king and didn't know it?"

Tama, a young boy who lives on an island and can be a 'royal' pain, is always getting into trouble it seems. At the behest of the village chief he is taken in by a young girl Mahana but bullied by other youngsters he is disillusioned with his life in paradise so he builds a wooden raft to escape and sets sail on the ocean in search of a new life. As Tama departs on the adventure of a lifetime, Mahana gives him a keepsake bracelet and he promises he will return for her.

Washed up on a different island Tama is taken in by a mysterious stranger where he grows up. But when Tama learns who he is, he returns home to claim the chieftainship of Turtle Island.

From Gerald R Molen, the producer of HOOK and JURASSIC PARK, THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO is adapted from a short story written by the late novelist Patricia McGerr, which was first published in the 1960's and has since been reprinted and translated into many languages. As told by a father to his young son, the film is a captivatingly romantic story set amongst the Polynesian cultures of the South Pacific. It explores how in spite of everyone experiencing some form of rejection they also discover the value of honesty, hard work, loyalty and friendship.