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Document Sample
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Manning family Ari’i (7) -Youngest child (son) and wannabe rower
Josh (27) - Only grandson Rahiti and Reia (22) - Twins, cousins and rowers
Grandma (73) - Grandmother Unnamed cousin 1 (early 20s) - Cousins and rowers
Unnamed cousin 2 (early 20s) - Cousins and rowers
Katana family
Moses/Mosiah (58) - Father
Nanihi (49) - Mother
Vaea (30) - Eldest daughter
Orama (21) - Middle daughter
Poe (18) - Youngest daughter
Manakai family
Fara (48) - Father
Heiva (27) - Eldest child (son) and lead rower
Tania (26) - Middle child (daughter)
Mana (24) - Middle child (son) and rower
LOCATION
The Katana family live on
the coast just south of Faie,
and the Manakai family
live in Maroe.
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CHARACTER ARCS
Josh has to learn to be a man. He’s a big child, with no direction – possibly from never having a real
family – and he must learn to take responsibility, stop running away and respect how families work.
Tania, in the opposite to Josh, has to learn to let go of her family and to put her own interests first.
Heiva has to learn humility, to question his father Fara and respect people from outside the island.
Poe must grow up, learn self-respect but discover how to interactive with men in a non-sexual way.
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ACT ONE
1. EXT. AROUND HUAHINI ISLAND. MORNING
A paddle slices through the water, propelling a thin canoe forwards. The paddle belongs to the leader of
the TEAM HUAHINI six-man outrigger, Heiva Manakai (27), who yells instructions at his crew (in French)
as they power along the course. This is the prestigious Hawaiki Nui Va'a race. We see a wide shot of the
scene - the sun beating down, the stunning tropical island of Huahini, the locals watching from the shore
- and see that TEAM HUAHINI is already leading by two boat lengths. The result is a foregone conclusion.
Yet, as the finish line comes into sight, TEAM HUAHINI noticeably slow down... and second-placed TEAM
SHELL begin to catch them. Heiva screams at his team-mates -‘fort, fort!’ - but it’s no good. The boat is
overtaken just before they reach the final straight - a route formed by islanders stood in the water - and
in the end they finish a distant second by a full boat length. Heiva, furious, throws his paddle in the sea.
As the third-place outrigger passes through the shot, we match cut to...
2. INT. ROWING CLUB - GYM. EVENING
Josh Manning (27), exercising on an ERG rowing machine. We hear muffled music from his headphones
and see that he’s rowing in time to the beat. He relentlessly keeps time. Until, all of a sudden, he stops
rowing. His music has finished. He clicks his iPod and starts rowing again in time to the new beat.
3. INT. GRANDMA’S HOME – LIVING ROOM. EVENING
Grandma (73) is sitting in her armchair watching a nature documentary on television. It’s very much an
old woman’s home – flowery (and slightly faded) wallpaper, brown sofas, net curtains etc. – and so
clearly not somewhere a young person would live. However, suddenly, the front door opens and Josh
enters. “Grandma, it’s me!” He walks into the living room and kisses her on the cheek. “You hungry?”
4. INT. GRANDMA’S HOME – DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh and Grandma eat a healthy dinner together. Even the china plates, silver cutlery and doilies scream
‘old person’s house’. It’s a very quiet meal – you can even hear the wall clock ticking – before Grandma
breaks the silence by asking Josh how his job is going. “Yeah, it’s fine.” He clearly doesn’t enjoy it much.
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She asks if he’s made any friends yet, but he just says, jokingly: “You’re the only one for me Grandma!”
With a hint of sadness she replies “I won’t be here forever, Josh” but he responds: “Of course you will.”
Josh finishes washing up the plates while Grandma watches the television in the living room, then he
goes to bid her goodnight. After he leaves, she looks at her watch – just 9.30pm – and shakes her head.
5. EXT. YARRA RIVER. DAY
It's cold, grey and drizzly as Josh cycles alongside the Yarra River. He is visibly cold. He gets to an exit off
the cycle path and takes it, entering into the car park of the rowing club. He rides on up to the entrance
then, after stopping at the end of a long line of Bentleys, Porsches and Ferraris, starts to lock up his bike.
6. INT. ROWING CLUB - CHANGING ROOM. EARLY MORNING
Josh is getting changed when a group of people wearing ‘Melbourne Rowing Club’ sweaters arrive. They
are chatting and laughing about yesterday's training, and how they work harder on strokes today, and
don’t even notice Josh is there. Josh finishes changing and silently walks through the group to the gym.
7. INT. ROWING CLUB - GYM. EARLY MORNING
Josh is on the rowing machine again, headphones in. The guy on the next machine, a member of the
rowing club, is struggling to keep up with him. He stops, out of breath, and watches Josh. “You’re pretty
good,” he says... but Josh has his headphones in and doesn’t hear him. Suddenly, just like before, he
stops rowing – his music his finished. He checks his watch, thinks for a second – silently weighing up how
much time he has before work – then clicks his iPod and starts rowing again in time to the new beat.
8. INT. OFFICE RECEPTION. MORNING
Boss is talking to a senior staff member in the reception of a large, nondescript office building when Josh
bursts, sweating, through the front door. Josh apologises sincerely but Boss asks to see him in his office.
9. INT. BOSS’ OFFICE. MORNING
Boss tells Josh that he has already been warned about his lateness. Although he’s always willing to make
up the time later on, he is generally unreliable, and that’s disrespectful to his colleagues – you’re not a
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team player. Therefore, I’ve no choice but to let you go.” He adds: “At some point, you’re going to have
to stop wasting your life going back and forth on a rowing machine and choose to live in the real world.”
10. INT. OPEN-PLAN OFFICE. MORNING
Josh emerges from Boss’ office and walks through the open-plan workspace. People take no notice of
him. Even as he gets to his desk and begins to pack up his belongings, nobody asks him what’s going on.
11. EXT. OFFICE BUILDING. MORNING
Josh exits the building, carrying a box full of all his belongings. He doesn’t know where to turn.
12. INT. ROWING CLUB - GYM. AFTERNOON
Josh is back on the ERG rowing machine, headphones plugged in. As he’s rowing, two members of the
Melbourne rowing team quietly discuss his performance. “Look at the speed he’s going - 1 minute 36 for
a half-k - that’s faster than Johnno! He’s here every day too! Why doesn’t the coach pick him?” “He says
he’s too short, hasn't got the length in his stroke, and he's not exactly a social guy. Not team material.”
Josh, oblivious to the conversation, rows on.
13. INT. GRANDMA’S HOME – LIVING ROOM. AFTERNOON
Josh arrives home and is greeted by Grandma, who asks why he’s back home so early. “Gran... I have
something I have to tell you.” Cut jump to later, and he’s finishing the story. “But don’t worry - I’ll find a
way to support us.” Grandma laughs, and says she has plenty of savings to look after herself. “You
should view this as an opportunity, Josh. It’s the perfect chance to take that holiday you’ve been talking
about for two years.” He’s not convinced: “First of all, I don’t have much money to spare at the moment.
But most of all, I really need to focus on finding another accountancy job first... there aren’t many firms
out there hiring at the moment.” She argues - “Well, if not now... when? You’ll just end up losing any job
because of your rowing anyway” - but he’s not interested. Instead, he decides to go visit the gym again.
As soon as he leaves, Grandma jumps on the computer and starts searching for ‘last-minute holidays’.
14. INT. GRANDMA’S HOME – DINING ROOM. MORNING
5
Josh walks downstairs in the morning and is greeted by Grandma, who already has breakfast laid out on
the table. “What’s going on?” he asks. “Bagels... croissants... you know I'm on a strict diet Grandma! You
can't be a proper rower eating trash like this.” Grandma replies: “Well, it's a special meal, isn't it?”... and
thrusts a computer print-out into his hand. He opens it: a flight reservation to Tahiti. “But this is leaving
today...and it’s only one-way!” says Josh. “That’s right... I want you to stay away as long as you can – and
only come back when you’re really ready. That’s why I haven’t booked you a hotel – you can just find the
cheapest option when you get onto the island. The prices on the hotel sites weren’t any good anyway.”
Josh smiles... “When did you get so tech-savvy?” Grandma: “What do you think I do all day?”
Although he tries to cover it, Josh isn’t very pleased with the offer – he’d rather stay and look for a job.
Grandma ups the ante: “I’ve heard they like rowing out there in Tahiti”... and the flicker of a smile
crosses Josh’s lips. So he concedes, as she has already booked it, that he will go away for a few days.
“Good, then that settles it. Now hurry up... you need to pack. The taxi will be here in an hour!”
15. EXT. GRANDMA’S HOME. AFTERNOON
Josh hauls his suitcase into the boot of a yellow Melbourne cab and kisses his Grandma goodbye. As he
gets in, we pan out to a wide sweeping shot and watch Josh drive off into the unknown.
16. INT. AEROPLANE CABIN. AFTERNOON
Josh is squashed into the middle of a three-seat aisle, with two enormous Polynesians on either side of
him. He eyes up their huge arms, which are completely covered in black-ink tattoos, and is impressed.
A pilot announcement: “We’re just crossing the international date line... so you can set your watches
back 21 hours! That means we’re two thirds of the way... just three hours left to go!” Josh sighs. Then,
to distract himself, he takes the ‘Tahiti’ magazine from the pocket in front of him and starts to read.
17. INT. FAA’A AIRPORT - CUSTOMS. EVENING
Josh is queuing at customs. He arrives at the front, and the official asks him “Passeport, s'il vous plaît”.
Josh hands it over, and the official asks “...et où est le visa”? He looks up: “Visa?” Josh replies “Er... je
n’ai pas, I... I don’t have.” The official sighs and pulls out a piece of paper from his desk, starts to fill in
Josh’s details then asks: “Address?” “Um, well it’s 42 Grantley Street, St Kilda...” “Non, non, where will
you be staying here?” “Here? Er, I don’t know – I didn’t think about that. I’ll just get a hotel...” Official
sighs: “No address, no visa”, hands him the useless visa and waves him aside.
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Josh steps to the side obediently, letting the next man in the queue go to the front, and wonders what
to do. He looks at the gate he just came through and thinks about going back, catching the next plane to
Melbourne, but the next passenger in the queue interrupts his thoughts. “Isn’t that right?” Josh looks at
him, confused: “Huh?” The man takes the visa out of his hands and gives it to the official. (In French,
subtitled) “I told you... he’s with me. The address is Villa Katana, just south of Faie, Huahine-Nui.”
The man is Mosiah Katana (58) – better known as Moses. He then flashes a grin at Josh: “I have the
cheapest accommodation in the South Pacific.” Josh doesn’t know what to say – he’s too shy to protest
– but the official accepts the visa application and waves them through. Moses puts an arm around Josh’s
shoulder and says “Come on!” With one final look back at the gate, Josh follows him into baggage claim.
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ACT TWO – PART 1
18. INT. FAA’A AIRPORT – BAGGAGE CLAIM. EVENING
As they walk through the baggage pick up, Josh timidly thanks Moses, and asks how much is it per night.
He says: “Nothing. As long as you’re happy to help around the place.” Josh asks “What does that mean?”
After Josh finds his bag, they start to walk towards the exit gate – where his fellow tourists are being
greeted by two big Polynesian guys playing ukuleles and women handing out flowers – but suddenly
they take the gate to the right: ‘Transfers’. Moses smiles when he sees Josh’s confusion. “Trust me... you
can’t afford to sleep at the resort hotels in Papeete! I've got a much more homely place for you to stay!”
19. INT. MOTU MAEVA AIRPORT. EVENING
Josh and Moses, having exited the plane and arrived on Huahine, approach the new customs desk.
Moses: “So what do you think… will you come and work for me?” Josh has thought about it and nods,
quite surely. Moses: “Excellent!” They go straight through customs without showing passports - Moses
man-hugs the customs official, very familiar – and through the gate.
20. EXT. MOTU MAEVA AIRPORT. EVENING
Moses’ eldest daughter Vaea Katana (30) is waiting for them outside with the Ute. Moses introduces
them, chucks Josh’s bag in the back and hops in the front seat. Josh isn’t really sure where he should go,
so Moses shouts: “Follow your bag.” Josh obediently hops into the back. As the Ute pulls off, we pan out
to a wide, sweeping shot, just like the one when he got in the Melbourne cab, only this time with Josh
being thrown all around the place, holding on for dear life. Yet he doesn’t complain.
21. EXT. KATANA HOME. NIGHT
The Ute pulls up outside Moses’ bure – a one-level coconut leaf hut on the waterfront. The engine is
turned off, and everyone jumps out. Josh looks very shaken up.
22. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. NIGHT
The three arrive back at the Katana house, and Josh is introduced to the rest of the family: the mother
Nanihi (49), the second daughter Orama (21) and the youngest daughter Poe (18). He joins them for
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dinner – a delicious feast of chicken, fish and rice and a variety of fruits, followed by a traditional sweet
pudding called Poe. “Like me,” says Poe, looking at Josh intently. “I’m a sweet pudding!” Josh blushes.
Over dinner, they all laugh and chat. Josh is quiet, but really enjoys the feeling of being part of a family.
They ask how long he’s planning to stay and he says he really doesn’t know... maybe just a week or so.
23. INT. KATANA HOME – HALLWAY. NIGHT
After the dinner is finished, Moses shows Josh around the home. After pointing out where the bathroom
is, he shows him to his bedroom and says they'll start work very early the next morning, so he should get
a good night’s sleep. Josh: “Actually, I don’t have an alarm...” Moses smiles: “Don’t worry about that.”
24. INT. KATANA HOME - BEDROOM. VERY EARLY MORNING
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! Josh is woken up by a rooster crowing incessantly. He makes his way out of bed,
half-naked, stumbling around the room, and into the hall, where he’s met by Poe. She looks him up and
down with an approving “Hmm” and walks off to the kitchen. Josh, embarrassed, enters the bathroom.
25. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EARLY MORNING
Nanihi serves Josh bread and tea for breakfast and he eats slowly, still half asleep. He hears commotion
outside and looks out if the window behind him to see Moses and his daughters already hard at work,
attaching small black things to nets. He checks his watch – it's still on Melbourne time, so it's just 2am –
and he groans. Moses looks up from the distance and shouts “Come on!”, so Josh finishes up his meal.
26. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING
Josh goes out to join the others – and notices that the things they're attaching to nets are small oysters.
Before he can say anything, Moses whisks him aside and leads him to an old shed where there is a line
of outrigger canoes – some singles, some four-seater, some six-seater – along with a couple of outboard
motors and piles of other junk on the floor. Moses ask him to help him take out the six-seater canoe.
They carry it to the water, where the three daughters throw in the nets and clamber in. “Come on” says
Vaea, and puts him in the centre of the outrigger. He isn’t given a paddle (he’s not trusted yet) but she
puts a box on his lap instead. “So, today,” says Moses, “you watch and learn. Just watch and learn...”
Moses and his three daughters start rowing and they leave the shore.
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27. INT. OUTRIGGER. MORNING
Now out in the open sea, the daughters re-angle their paddles to slow the boat down and then start to
put on their snorkels. Josh wonders what’s going on, but doesn’t ask. “Off you go, girls” says Moses, and
they all take small nets with them and dive down under the water. Josh timidly asks what they’re doing.
“They’re looking for oysters, of course,” says Moses. “How do you think we make pearls? These are
black-lip oysters – you only get these in the waters around these islands – so they give us black pearls...
the most beautiful, and most expensive, in the world!” Josh starts to worry when the girls don’t emerge
for a long time, but Moses is calm. “When you’re from Huahini, you have to learn to hold your breath...”
The girls do eventually emerge, each with a few oysters in their nets, and throw them on board. Poe
then jumps in, takes a metal clamp out from under one of the seats, and starts to look through the
oysters. She prizes open one, but says “no good” and puts it to the side. When she opens the second
one, she nods. Josh exclaims: “You’re serious, there’s really a pearl inside there?” Vaea laughs and says:
“Not yet there isn’t! She just means it’s a good colour... it’s a mature enough oyster to produce a pearl.”
Moses takes the oyster and slices off the black lip, before cutting it into small pieces. “Now we just have
to insert this bead,” explains Vaea, holding it up. “It’s made from the shell of a type of mollusc you get in
Mississippi.” As Poe completes the procedure, Vaea explains that “We insert it into the ovaries of the
oysters, along with the piece of black lip to help it create a natural shell, and then all we have to do is
wait.” Josh asks: “How long?” and she replies “About two years.” “Two years?” Poe seductively adds:
“That’s right! So if you want to see the fruits of your labours, you’d better stick around – hadn’t you?”
TIME CUT TO...
28. INT. OUTRIGGER. AFTERNOON
We’re now in a different part of the ocean: the boat is still beside a string of blue buoys. “What do those
mean?” asks Josh. “It means we’re in the right place,” replies Moses. “Off you go, girls.” The girls dive
into the water again. Josh quickly checks his watch – he wants to time how long they’re underwater for -
and Moses explains why they’re diving here. “They’re just checking on some of our oysters – the blue
buoys mean these ones have been in there for a year. We just need to see how they’re getting along!”
After a long time, Orama emerges with a net-full of oysters. Josh checks his watch – she was under for a
good five minutes – and expresses his astonishment. Meanwhile, the other sisters emerge and all empty
their nets into the boat. Poe opens one with a clamp and invites Josh to look over her shoulder – adding
“Eyes on the oyster!” – then explains that it’s not ready yet: the pearl isn’t hard or shiny. Josh, surprised,
says “but it’s not black... it’s a kind of dark, purply-green” and Vaea explains that not all black pearls are
black. “They’re named after the colour of the oyster. Black pearls, on occasions, can even be white!”
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They check the rest of the oysters they’ve picked up, then dive back into the water to return them.
29. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY EVENING
They drag the outrigger onto land and tie it up. Moses: “So, did you learn a lot today?” Josh nods. “Well,
that’s great... same tomorrow. Now, before dinner, I have a job for you that doesn’t involve any skill.
You know we keep chickens and roosters here? Well, did you know we also have a couple of pigs...?”
30. EXT. KATANA HOME. EVENING
The sun is starting to go down as Josh is shovelling pig dung out of the sties and onto a pile of manure.
31. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING ROOM. EVENING
Josh enters the house to see everybody at the dinner table. He’s a little unsure what to do with himself
but they beckon him over warmly. Nanihi dishes him up a meal and he, once again, enjoys the company.
32. MULTIPLE SCENE MONTAGE. DAY AND NIGHT
We follow Josh’s development over the next couple of days. Scenes play out in the following order...
1. Josh is woken up again, very early, by the roosters - and looks very annoyed as he gets out of bed.
2. Josh sits on the outrigger, with the box on his lap, again not being allowed to do any of the paddling.
3. Josh dives under the water for oysters but comes up without any... and completely out of breath.
4. Josh tries to tell the difference between a ‘good’ and a ‘bad’ oyster – they look all the same to him.
5. Josh attempts to open an oyster with a clamp. It’s almost wide open when it suddenly snaps shut.
6. Josh spends the evening shovelling pig dung, feeding the chickens and chopping wood for the fire.
7. Josh has dinner with the family, and is starting to loosen up around them. He loves their company.
8. Josh is woken up by the roosters yet again but tries to block it out by pressing the pillow to his ears.
9. Josh sits on the outrigger, with the box on his lap, but still not being allowed to do any paddling.
10. Josh is having a breath-holding competition with Poe, but she easily beats him – then she dunks him.
11. Josh picks what he thinks is a good oyster, and looks at Moses hopefully... but he shakes his head.
12. Josh spends another evening shovelling pig dung, feeding chickens and chopping wood for the fire.
13. Josh is eating with the family. Moses says he’s started well but tomorrow’s Sunday... “a day of rest.”
14. Josh is woken by roosters again. He screams “It's Sunday... it's a day of rest”, picks up a mug from his
side-table and lobs it out the window. It doesn't shut them up though, so he concedes and gets up.
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33. EXT. FARE HIGH STREET. MORNING
Josh finishes paying for an alarm clock from a market stall, then starts to walk leisurely along the street,
enjoying the weather and looking at all the colourful fruit and vegetable stalls. Basically, being a tourist.
Suddenly, his attention is drawn by a loud group of boys up ahead – Heiva and the Manakai gang – who
are talking and laughing as they exit an internet cafe. After they’ve walked off, Josh heads for the cafe.
34. INT. INTERNET CAFE. MORNING
The bells tinkles as Josh enters. The shop is empty besides the beautiful young woman behind reception.
This is Tania Manakai (26). Josh is so enraptured that he can barely get out the words to ask for an hour
of internet time. She guesses what she wants to say and, without showing a hint of interest, waves him
towards one of three old-fashioned desktop computers in the corner. Without a word, he walks over.
CUT TO...
35. INT. INTERNET CAFE. MORNING – LATER
Josh is on Skype with Grandma. The desk is deserted and Tania is nowhere to be seen.
Grandma asks Josh how it’s going, and he reveals that he’s having a great time so far. “... and there are
these amazing canoes... they’re called outriggers... they’re the coolest things, honestly! I’m really hoping
I’ll get a chance to help row one of the things.” Grandma is very glad that he’s found something he’s
enjoying, and that he’s also making enough money farming black pearls to live out there. “In which case,
there’s absolutely no reason for you to come home... is there?” Josh says he isn’t planning to stay more
than a week, but it’s a great holiday – and for the first time he sincerely thanks her for booking it.
As the call ends and Josh logs off, Tania appears from around the back. Josh walks up to the desk, shyly,
and gets out his wallet. Tania: “Quatre cents francs”. Josh replies: “Sorry, I don’t...” and suddenly Tania
brightens up. “Oh, I thought you were French! You’re English?” “Austalian.” “Really? You’re very pale for
an Australian!” Josh doesn’t know what to say, except “So it was...?” Tania: “Oh, 400 francs please.” Josh
pays, says thank you and goes to leave. As he goes, Tania says “See you again!”
Josh stifles a smile.
36. EXT. HUAHINE BEACH. AFTERNOON
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Josh sits on a jetty overlooking the beach. It’s beautiful and he realises he feels very relaxed here.
37. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh returns to the house to find Moses sitting around the dining table with a few friends – all equally
enormous and heavily tattooed natives – drinking beer and playing a couple of hands of poker. He
apologises for interrupting them but he’s invited to join. Moses explains that the girls are out shopping
(“it’s the same everywhere,” comments Josh) and introduces his friends around the table. He asks Josh if
he knows how to play and he says yes – he’s played online before. As they start a game, one of them –
Hina – says to Moses: “It must be nice for you to have another bloke around the place.”
38. INT. KATANA HOME - HALLWAY. LATE EVENING
The others are leaving and they say goodbye to Moses – and to Josh's surprise, this means kissing each
other on the cheeks. Suddenly, Hina turns to Josh and goes in for the kiss. Very embarrassed and a little
scared, Josh relents. This is then repeated with the other two guys, before they finally leave the house.
Just as Moses says he’s going to bed, Josh blurts out that he's a keen rower back in Australia, and asks if
there’s any chance he could teach him how to use the outrigger. Moses says “Not if you’re going back in
a week... what’s in it for me?” Josh says he’d happily to commit to another two weeks if that would help,
and Moses says he’ll think about it... “Now get some sleep. As always, we’ll be up at the crack of dawn.”
39. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING
Josh is helping the girls load the nets onto the outrigger when Vaea reveals that Moses mentioned Josh
wants to learn how to paddle. “It’s nothing like your Australian kayaks, you know” He says he knows. So
she says “Come out with me and the girls at the end of the day, and we’ll take you through the basics.”
They hop in the boat and the others – not Josh – start to paddle away.
MATCH CUT TO...
40. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY EVENING
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The five-some have returned to shore again and are securing the boat. Josh finishes taking in the nets
and asks Moses what else he should do. Moses says: “Just one thing - go and learn how to paddle...
Polynesian style.” Josh sees the girls waiting for him in the canoe, so he excitedly goes over to join them.
41. INT. OUTRIGGER. EARLY EVENING.
It’s still sunny as Vaea tells Josh about the history of outriggers. “These canoes have been important for
my people for centuries, used to navigate miles and miles of open ocean, and the principle behind them
is very simple. Over there you can see the ama – that’s the float. It helps make sure we don’t capsize...”
She also corrects him when he uses the term 'row' – “You don't row an outrigger, Josh... you paddle it!”
Josh hears laughter from the other island and looks over. Heiva and the rest of his gang are laughing and
pointing at the white man learning how to row from a bunch of girls. Josh asks Vaea who they are – “I
saw them in town” - but she just says: “They’re trouble... you should stay away from them. Now come
on: concentrate. Next, you’ll need to learn about the paddles, which you will notice are single-sided. But
that doesn’t mean you paddle on both sides... good rowers can maintain the heading and the stability by
paddling on just one side. Of course, that level of expertise is a long way off: it takes years of practice...”
She also explains the grip: “You hold the paddle at the top, and as you reach forward to drop the paddle
in the water you drive down with the upper hand. Once in the water, the bottom hand pulls back at the
same time as bringing your back back to the perpendicular . After 8 strokes on the right you'd usually
swap to paddling on the other side after the signal... that's 'Hut!'” Josh struggles with the stroke but
Vaea encourages him: “It's okay – it's bound to take you a little time. Just keep working on your grip and
stroke for now, and we'll work on the rhythm and the changes later. Come on, let's go for a trial run...”
Poe tells Josh to sit close behind her, and he goes to do so, but Vaea instead gets them to sit at either
sides of the boat, with Josh in front of her. As they slowly start to paddle, Vaea warns him not to lead
her little sister on. He claims he doesn’t know what she’s on about: “She’s just a kid... what would I do?”
42. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh and the family are having dinner. Moses asks how the lesson went and Vaea says that it went okay
– “Josh has plenty of strength but he needs to put in the hours on his technique with the paddle, and
getting used to a canoe that faces forward”. She says that it's just a matter of practice – although he’ll
never be as good as a native. Moses disagrees: if Josh works hard, he can be as good as he wants to be.
43. INT. KATANA HOME – BEDROOM. EARLY MORNING
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COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! We fade in to see the bed but it’s turned back, empty. We focus on the alarm on
the bedside table – it’s the one he bought from the market. Clearly, Josh is already up.
44. INT. OUTRIGGER. EARLY MORNING.
Josh is already on the water, practicing. He’s trying to row on one side, but can’t manage to keep the
boat in a straight line. Suddenly, there’s a shout off screen. “You’re doing it wrong!” It’s Moses – he’s
already awake, feeding the animals. “Come on, pick me up. I’ll show you how it’s done...”
CUT TO:
Out on the water, Moses demonstrates again how to hold the paddle. “First of all – straight back, strong
back. Then put your right hand here – gripping the top of the paddle – and your left hand just above the
blade. No, no – don’t hold the paddle across your chest! It should be just perpendicular to your body...”
We see the scene from a distance: Moses showing Josh how to row, like a father teaching his son to ride
a bike. Cut back close and Josh notices the Heiva and co watching from the shore again and asks Moses
who they are. He says that they’re ‘the Manakai boys’, and hints that there is some bad blood between
them. But when Josh presses him, Moses simply says: “Time to go back. We’ve a long day ahead of us...”
45. EXT. INTERNET CAFE. EVENING
Josh heads to the internet cafe, but finds it closed for the evening. He peers through the window and he
sees Tania inside, gathering her things. He watches her for a second, but then she looks over, catching
his eye – so he quickly looks away. He stands there for a second, not sure what to do, then starts to walk
away, but Tania opens the door and calls out: “Can I help?” He replies, “No, sorry, no, it’s fine,” but she
persists: “Do you want to use the internet?” He says, “Er, I was planning to yeah, but if you’re closed...?”
She says “I’ll make you a deal – you can use the internet if you’ll help me practice my English.” He shyly
agrees, and she opens the door for him. “You can have half an hour... then we'll head to the Sheraton
Mirage for a drink.” Josh bashfully replies “A quiet drink would be nice” and Tania smiles, knowingly.
46. EXT. MIRAGE BAR PATIO. EVENING
Josh and Tania are sitting in the bar as a cacophony of noise goes on all around them. This is the Island
Night – a traditional show of island dancing. One of the dancers comes over and plucks Josh from his
seat, and gets him to dance with them. He tries to resist but Tania encourages him up, so he sways with
the girls for a short time, looking very uncomfortable. The dancer tries to get him to try this local 'knee'
15
dance but he's too embarrassed and silently sits back down instead. Tania, feeling bad for subjecting
him to the ordeal, asks him if he'd like to go somewhere a little bit quieter... and Josh says “definitely.”
47. EXT. BEACHFRONT. DAY
Josh and Tania have found a quiet spot on the beach-front and they're chatting animatedly. She finishes
saying something about herself and then asks Josh to tell her something about himself. Unsure, he asks
“What do you want to know?”, and she replies, with a gentle and encouraging smile: “Everything”.
Slowly but surely, Josh starts to open up about his life, revealing (with prompting) that he was brought
up by his grandmother, that he has no job and that he has no real friends in Melbourne. We clearly see
that Tania is starting to find him interesting – and a little tragic. “No family?” she asks. “No,” he replies.
She comments that, from the way he talks, he seems like he has a child’s perspective on his existence.
Josh also reveals he’s staying with Moses Katana and Tania asks what he is like. She’s surprised when
Josh says he’s a really lovely guy – “That’s not what I’ve heard.” Josh: “Well, then you’ve heard wrong”
During the conversation, Tania also comments on his Australian accent. “I have to say, you’re far harder
to understand than those Californians that come to the island. But that’s okay... I like a challenge.”
48. EXT. BEACHFRONT. EVENING
Tania checks her watch and realises how late it is: “Sorry, I have to go!” Josh offers his hand for her to
shake but instead she leans in to kiss him. But not the lips... she kisses him on each cheek instead. “I’ve
really enjoyed my English lesson! Maybe we can make it a regular thing?” Josh smiles, but doesn’t take
the cue, so Tania just says: “See you soon” and walks off. Josh, smiling, heads in the opposite direction.
49. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh arrives home and finds Moses sitting in the living room, waiting for him. “It’s late,” he says. “Where
have you been?” Josh replies that he met somebody in town and ended up going to some 'Island Night'.
Moses smiles - “A proper tourist trap, that thing!” He says that he's glad Josh has found a friend, so long
as he doesn’t come home at midnight every night. “You’re still going to have to be up at 5am!” he says.
50. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING.
16
The sun is just coming up as Moses, yawning, exits the house. He heads towards the chickens but then
he hears a sound out on the water. It’s Josh, headphones in, practising his rowing. Moses grins broadly.
51. INT. OUTRIGGER. DAY.
Moses is sitting on the boat, waiting patiently. He’s by the buoys. Bubbles start to appear on the surface
of the water and Josh pops up, breathing heavily. He grins and holds up a couple of oysters he’s picked.
CUT TO:
Inside the boat. Josh finishes slicing the black lip into pieces, picks up the bead and walks over to Moses,
who is holding open the oyster. He then follows his directions to place it inside the oyster, which he
does successfully. Moses appears very impressed. He hands him a red pen to mark the oyster with a
spot – “so you’ll always know which was your first one!” Suddenly, the girls arrive at the surface of the
sea and Josh – having forgotten they’d even dived under water, it was so long ago – checks his watch.
CUT TO:
Another part of the sea. Josh uses the clamp to open an oyster and shows it to Moses. Not ready yet, he
says. Josh opens another one and Moses smiles – perfect! He picks out the pearl and shows it to him.
Moses: “Congratulations: your first pearl!” Josh looks at the girls and they smile. “Of course, it doesn’t
really count because you didn’t actually put in the bead, but it’s the first one you’ve picked anyway...”
52. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY EVENING.
As they unload the net from the boat, Moses pats Josh on the back and says “Good job!” Then Poe goes
to hug Josh, saying “Congratulations – you’re really getting the hang of it!” Josh catches Vaea’s eye and
backs off. “Er... yeah, thanks.” Poe: “Who knows - maybe you won’t have to shovel pig shit any more...!”
53. EXT. KATANA HOME. EVENING.
Josh is shovelling pig dung as the sun goes down, but he doesn’t mind. This is starting to feel like home.
FADE OUT.
54. INT. INTERNET CAFE. LATE MORNING
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The bells tinkles as Josh enters. Tania looks up, sees him and smiles. “Hello! How are you?” He smiles
and says. “Fine, thanks.” There’s an awkward silence – Josh not sure what to say, Tania waiting for him
to say something – until Josh finally breaks it by asking if the computer is free. Taken aback, Tania nods,
coldly, and then walks off around the back in a silent huff. Josh, kicking himself for not having more guts,
heads to a computer in the corner, logs in and goes to call Grandma.
CUT TO:
He’s on the phone to Grandma, and she sounds a little sad. Josh asks why, but she says it’s nothing - that
he’s just imagining it. She asks if he’s met anybody nice out there. “Well, the family I’m staying with are
lovely – really. And... well... and there’s this girl.” Grandma asks about her and Josh reveals she’s called
Tania and he really likes her. Grandma asks what he’s going to do about it and he says he’s not sure. She
says “Josh, you’re 27... you’re a grown man. It’s time to act like one.” Her words have an effect on him.
CUT TO:
The conversation is over, so Josh logs off the computer and walks up to the desk. He rings the bell and
Tania appears. She says, coldly: “400 francs,” and as he hands over the money Josh says, without looking
at her: “What about an English lesson?” She looks up – “What?” Josh says... “I mean, I have some time
this afternoon if you, I don’t know, if you fancy practising your English again.” Tania smiles and says “you
know what... my lunch was just coming up, and I’d love to practice. So why don’t we go to Coconut Cafe
– I know the owner...?” Josh smiles. He has just, for the first time in his life, successfully asked a girl out.
55. EXT. COCONUT CAFE – TERRACE. EARLY AFTERNOON
Josh and Tania sit at the Coconut Cafe. He’s laughing: “Are you serious?” She says, “Yes, I am. I mean, I
meet a lot of weird tourists on the island, and a lot of them want to see the eels, but most don’t try to
feed them beef jerky!” Josh: “And do you often go on dates with the tourists?” Tania looks sideways at
him: “What makes you think this is a date?” He looks at her for a minute, and decides to make a move...
Cut to a wide angle as they tentatively kiss. We’re seeing the scene through the eyes of Ari’i Manakai
(7), who we recognise as the youngest of the Manakai gang. He gasps, then runs off to tell his brothers.
Meanwhile, we see Josh and Tania continue to kiss in the moonlight. It’s a very romantic moment.
56. EXT. WOODLAND. EVENING.
It’s a little later in the evening and Josh is walking back through the woods. Suddenly, he hears a rustling
behind him - and the Manakai gang appear. We see them all now. Besides Heiva there’s Mana Manakai
(24), Rahiti and Reia Manakai (22, twins) and two unnamed cousins. And before Josh can go anywhere,
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they’ve surrounded him. “What do you want?” he asks. Heiva steps forward. “Have you been seeing my
sister?” He looks confused, and then he realises, “Tania? She’s your sister?” He laughs, awkwardly, but
without fear. Heiva isn’t laughing. Instead, he puts his face right up to Josh’s. “Listen white boy. If you
ever see her again, things are going to get nasty. Do you understand me? Stick to your pathetic northern
island family, right... date one of those dirty Katana girls!” The boys laugh but Josh’s face hardens. “You
watch your mouth! What’s your problem, anyway?” Heiva says: “We don’t like the Katanas – especially
that idiot Moses. As far as we’re concerned, you’re not only a white boy, you’re one of the Katanas now
– so you’d better watch your back. You’ve been warned: stay the hell away from Tania.” And with that,
the gang leave. Josh doesn’t move for a second, confused, but then continues walking home.
57. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh arrives home and finds Moses enjoying a romantic meal with Nanihi. “Sorry to interrupt!” he says,
and tries to go to his room, but they stop him. “It’s okay, we’ve finished.” Nanihi starts to take away the
dishes while Moses asks what’s wrong. He can tell something is up – and that it almost certainly involves
a woman – so he asks Josh to spill the beans. So he explains the situation – “I didn’t know she was their
sister” – and Moses listens intently. He says the two families have had their problems, but he doesn’t
have anything personal against them – it’s all one way. “Why don’t you invite her around for dinner?”
58. INT. MANAKAI HOME – LIVING ROOM. EVENING
Tania is watching TV with her father, Fara Manakai (48), when all her brothers and cousins arrive home.
Heiva tells Tania they know all about her and Josh. Fara: “Who?” Heiva: “The white boy staying with the
Katanas.” Fara: “Katanas? Tania, you’re never to see him again, understand?” She obediently agrees.
59. INT. INTERNET CAFE. MORNING
The bell tinkles and Josh walks inside. Tania spots him and says: “What the hell are you doing here?”
Josh starts to explain but she gestures for him to come around the back of the shop, out of sight. “Don’t
let anyone see you!” He follows her around the back and instantly, enthusiastically, invites her to dinner.
She says: “Are you crazy? I can’t go to the Katana house. Have you any idea what my father would do to
me?” Josh asks her what happened between the families – “why do the Manakais and the Katanas hate
each other so much?” – and she, reluctantly, starts to explain. “It dates back to 1989...”
60. MEMORY SEQUENCE. DAY AND NIGHT
It’s the past (cue sepia-tint) and there are a number of individual scenes playing out as Tania describes...
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“At that time, Moses was the coach of the island’s outrigger team, and the star rower was my father –
Fara. They had been training hard all year and everything had been going fine, and as far as everyone
was concerned my dad was a shoo-in to be picked as the captain of the team. He was, after all, the best.
But just days before the big race – the Hawaiki Nui Va'a – Moses saw him talking to Nanihi by the track…
perfectly innocently… and he was so angry that he dropped my father from the team. They then went
on to win the race without him – the last time TEAM HUAHINE won the annual event – and by the next
year my dad’s shoulder had become too bad to compete. So he missed the only opportunity he had…”
61. INT. INTERNET CAFE. MORNING
Cut back to the present as Tania finishes her story. “Of course, nothing was going on between my father
and Nanihi – he was already happily married to mother and had kids! - so he hates Moses for denying
him the chance of victory. And, of course, that hatred has been passed down to me and my brothers.”
Now Josh understands. He says: “Wow, that race is really important to this island, isn’t it?” Tania: “The
Hawaiki Nui Va'a? Yeah... it’s the most important thing there is. Stick around and you’ll see for yourself.”
Josh replies: “But not with you, I guess. I mean... I presume you don’t want us to see each other any
more?” She laughs: “Of course we can! I already knew you were staying with the Katanas anyway... the
only difference now is that my brothers know – so we’ll have to be much more secret about what we
do... and where we do it” Josh: “Like what kind of places?”
Tania smiles and pulls him in for a kiss... then kicks the door to the back room closed.
NON-DIEGETIC MUSIC takes us into…
62. MULTIPLE SCENE MONTAGE. DAY AND NIGHT
1. The music becomes tinny, as though played through headphones. Josh is smiling as he rows on the
outrigger, headphones in, following the beat. He’s no longer going round in circles – he’s improved.
2. Music up. Josh, watched over by Vaea, learns to roll the shell nucleus into a perfect marble. He then
makes a neat incision in the oyster and puts the marble, along with a portion of lip, inside. Poe claps.
3. Josh is at the market in Fara, buying a brand new ‘oyster’ lamp. “This'll look good in my bedroom.”
4. Tania is leading Josh through the forest to a clearing by the sea. “This is the best spot,” she says, and
hands him a snorkel. They enter the sea and so do we. In fact, we see exactly what they’re seeing – a
beautiful array of colourful coral gardens and exotic fish. They also encounter some tiny turtles, and
Tania takes one in her hand and shows it to Josh. He's never seen anything like this in his life.
5. Music down (tinny). Josh is rowing again, wearing his headphones. Improving.
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6. Music up. Josh is underwater, retrieving oysters. He sees Poe there, and she gives him a thumbs up.
He goes to the surface, out of breath, and Poe breaks water just five seconds later. “Getting closer!”
7. Josh opens an oyster with the clamp, shakes his head and puts it to the side. He opens another –
“nope” – and puts it to the side. And another. It’s very mechanical now – he knows what he’s doing.
8. Josh and Tania are walking over a bridge, hand in hand. They stop in the middle and Tania takes out
a can of mackerel, saying: “Watch this”. She throws small chunks of mackerel into the stream and
the surface bubbles with slithering eels up to six-feet long. Josh says “Jesus Christ – they’re huge!”
and Tania tells him off – “Don't take the Lord's name in vain.” Josh says “They are huge though!” as
he throws more fish to the beasts. Tania explains how the eels are considered sacred on Huahine,
and tells him about the mythology around them. She also explains how she’s loved them since she
was a kid, and how she always comes here when she’s sad. Josh takes out a camera and clicks it...
9. ...and we cut to him placing that framed photograph on his bedside table. The lamp is there too. He
then settles down on the bed and begins studying from a brand new textbook: ‘Beginner’s French’.
10. Music down (tinny). Josh is rowing again, wearing his headphones. Improving.
11. Josh is cleaning out the pigs, making a pile of dung. He’s now accepted that this is part of his job.
12. Josh calls out “goodbye” to the family, closes the front door and walks into the forest, where Tania
is waiting with her motorcycle. She says “Put this on” and hands him a helmet. But it’s not for safety
– it’s so the islanders can’t see who they are. They join the main road and start speeding along it.
13. Music down (tinny). Josh is rowing again, wearing his headphones. He’s much better. We cut to the
shore and see Moses watching him, deep in thought. Vaea comes out of the house and asks what
he’s looking at. Moses replies: “He looks good. I think he might be able to compete.” Vaea agrees.
63. INT. KATANA HOME - BEDROOM. VERY EARLY MORNING
Josh’s alarm goes off... and he springs out of bed (far more used to early morning than he was when he
got here), turns on the light and starts to put on his trousers. He’s clearly keen to get out on the water.
64. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING
Josh emerges from the house and sees Moses, already standing there by the water and two one-man
outrigger, one of which has an outboard motor attached. Josh asks “What are you doing up?” and
Moses replies that he’s been watching Josh, and he’s making real progress on the water. “I think there’s
a good racer in you!” Josh beams – “do you really think so?” – and Moses explains he has a good build
for it: strong arms and back, not too tall, good co-ordination... more suited to this than the type of
rowing he was doing in Melbourne. “You could be really good at this – all you need is some coaching. Do
you know that I used to be a coach?” Josh remembers about Fara and decides to lie: “No, I didn’t...”
65. INT. OUTRIGGER. EARLY MORNING
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Josh (in the normal outrigger) and Moses (in the one with the engine) stop at a random point in the
water. Moses then says: “Okay, I want you to row out there – to that buoy and around.” Josh says “no
problem” and takes out his headphones. Moses asks what he’s doing. “I can’t row without music... I
need the rhythm. It’s been the same ever since I was a kid!” Moses snatches the headphones out of his
ear... don’t be ridiculous... and Josh starts to row. “Keep it in time!” says Moses, but Josh is really
struggling. “Okay... alright...” says Moses, reluctantly, and he starts to tap out a beat on the outrigger,
“just follow this.” And Josh, slowly but surely, starts to row better... following the beat.
We hear the sound in his ear – it’s become loud, all consuming, impossible to ignore.
Cut to wide scene, with only quiet drumming, and we see Josh paddle to the buoy and around, coming
back again. Moses checks his watch – this is a good pace. But suddenly he hears a shout – “It’s that idiot
Moses and his pet white boy!” – and he stops tapping. Josh breaks from his trance and stops rowing. He
follows Moses’ gaze and sees the Manakai boys standing on the shores of the Southern Island. Heiva:
“Hey, white boy, what are you hanging around with a Huahine traitor for?” Josh goes to shout a reply
but Moses stops him. “Let’s focus on this, hey?” He starts tapping out the beat again and Josh resumes
paddling. Within seconds, the beat in his ear – loud, all consuming – has drowned out the shouting boys.
We cut to Heiva watching Josh row – he’s actually surprised how good he is.
66. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING
Moses and Josh arrive back at shore and Moses pats him on the back. “You’re fast boy... we can make a
racer of you yet.” As Josh is walking off, Moses also adds: “I guess your girlfriend told you why they all
hate me.” Josh turns around but doesn’t say anything. Moses: “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
Just then, the door opens and Vaea, Orama and Poe all emerge. Poe says: “I’ve brought you breakfast,
boys,” and hands them each some bread and a thermos of tea. Moses: “Okay then... let’s get to work!”
67. INT. INTERNET CAFE - BACKROOM. EVENING
Josh and Tania are sitting on boxes in the backroom, talking, when they hear the bell tinkle and Heiva’s
voice, along with her other brothers. Tania whispers to Josh to get out, and pushes him out the back
way. He’s not scared but she is – “I know what they can do.” She pushes him towards the back window,
then when Heiva calls for her she emerges into the shop as if everything is normal. Heiva is suspicious,
and then he hears a crash as Josh lands on some bins in the alleyway. Heiva runs out to see what it is
and sees Josh there, getting up from a pile of bins. Josh stands his ground, distant but face-to-face with
Heiva, but then all the brothers come out and Mana shouts ‘get him!’ Josh runs and they run after him.
22
The chase goes through the high street and out of the town along the coast. After a time, the boys start
to tire and fall back, and eventually come to a stop, but Josh keeps going. Heiva: “You go near my sister
again and I’ll kill you!” They watch him run off, reluctantly impressed. Mana: “Well, he has got stamina.”
68. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh arrives home. Everybody’s already in bed, so he sits down in the living room and calls Tania on his
mobile. She picks up, but speaks in a whisper: “You okay?” Josh: “Yeah, I got away. Your brothers are
psychos!” Tania, angrily replies: “They’re not psychos, they’re just protective of me. Listen... maybe we
shouldn’t see each other for a while... let’s take a break.” Josh: “What are you talking about? How long
do you want to take a break for?” Tania: “I don’t know, I just need to think...” Suddenly, we hear a door
slam in the background and Tania wraps it up: “Look, I’ve got to go. I’m sorry, Josh” and she hangs up.
Josh slumps back in his armchair, trying to take it all in, when Poe walks in wearing her dressing gown.
“Everything okay?” Josh looks up and smiles at her: “Yeah, it’s fine.” Poe knows he’s lying, so she offers
him a glass of hot milk – and he accepts.
CUT TO:
Josh and Poe are sitting at the table and he’s telling her the story of what happened. Poe is sympathetic,
and keeps topping up his milk with rum. After he pours his heart out, they have a moment when they
stare at one another and Poe leans in and kisses Josh. For a second he doesn’t resist, but then he pushes
her away. “Poe... I can’t. This isn’t right!” Poe suddenly becomes very confrontational: “You don’t like
me?” Josh smiles. “You’re an amazing girl, Poe. But you’re like my little sister.” Poe says “Screw you” and
she storms off to bed. Josh sits back in his chair, wondering why everything’s gone wrong this evening.
69. INT. OUTRIGGER. EARLY MORNING
Moses and Josh are practising again. Moses is tapping out a beat but Josh’s performance isn’t up to par.
Moses asks him what’s wrong and he just says his mind isn’t in the right place. Moses realises something
must have happened with Tania and reminds him that he promised his relationship wouldn’t interfere
with training. Josh: “It’s okay, you don’t need to worry about that any more.” Moses: “Keep paddling.”
70. EXT. KATANA HOME. EARLY MORNING
Moses and Josh return to the shore, with Moses shouting at Josh. “That was hopeless! If you don’t want
to take my time seriously, you can leave the island tomorrow.” Vaea and Orama emerge from the house
23
and walk over to the outrigger, and Moses asks where Poe is. Vaea says “She’s not feeling very well” and
looks meaningfully at Josh. He makes a snap decision and says “Sorry...”, and starts to walk away from
the house. Moses calls after him “You can’t hack it!”, but Josh doesn’t even glance back at them as he
disappears into the woods. Vaea says: “Well, that’s two down. Better get to work right away then, eh?”
71. EXT. SEAFRONT. MORNING
Josh emerges from the woods further along the coast, and he takes a seat on a jetty on the bay between
the islands. He watches Moses, Vaea and Orama working hard on the outrigger, and he starts to well up.
72. EXT. FARE HIGH STREET. MORNING
Josh walks along the high street and glances across at the Manakai Internet Cafe. Instead, he walks past
it and enters another small internet cafe a few doors down. From the outside, we see him ask the old,
bored man behind reception a question, before being directed towards the computer in the corner.
73. INT. OTHER INTERNET CAFE. MORNING
Josh is calling his Grandma’s home on Skype and she picks up. She doesn’t sound too upbeat, but then
nor does Josh. “Hi Grandma, it’s Josh – are you okay?” Grandma: “Yes, I’m okay. Are you?” Josh breaks
down and tells her he wants to come home. She asks why and he reveals that everything’s gone wrong –
Tania has broken up with him, her family hate him, he’s even fallen out with his own family. So he wants
to come back. Grandma laughs “To what?” Josh is taken aback and says: “Well, to you.” She replies that
she doesn’t want him back. “You’ve had an argument with your family... and also with your girlfriend’s
family. This is normal life, Josh. People have to learn to face up to their problems. Be a man.”
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ACT TWO – PART 2
74. EXT. FARE HIGH STREET. MORNING
Josh exits the shop and starts to walk back along the high street when Tania emerges from the shop to
put out some rubbish. She looks at him, briefly, then disappears back inside – and he goes after her.
75. INT. INTERNET CAFE. MORNING
Josh enters the shop and says: “I need to talk to you!” Tania tells him to go away but he refuses. “I’m not
going to let this go... I love you and I’m not going to let your brothers stand in our way.” Tania says it’s
not that easy – he needs to face facts. Josh asks her to marry him and she recoils in horror. “That’s not a
solution... life doesn't work like that. God, you’re such a... such a child! That’s the problem – your child-
like conviction is endearing at first but then, after a while, you realise that no – you’re just a child.”
She asks him to leave but Josh says: “But... but we’re meant to be together, Tania.” She replies “There
you go again” and ushers him towards the door. Reluctant, sad, confused, Josh goes towards the door.
76. EXT. FARE HIGH STREET. MORNING
Josh emerges from the shop. He sits down on some steps opposite and starts to cry, quietly. A couple of
Huahine men walk past and one of them looks down at him and says: “Come on, seriously... be a man.”
77. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. AFTERNOON
Josh tentatively enters the house, and bumps into Poe. She’s about to leave but he stops her. He then
apologises. “I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have said you’re too young. It’s just that I don’t think of you that way
– you’re like a sister to me. And I want you to be a sister to me.” She accepts his apology. Time passes as
they spend the next few hours chatting, joking and watching television together – just like close siblings.
78. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Vaea and Orama enter the house. Vaea says “You’re back then?” with a smile, and Orama comes over to
hug Josh, saying “Don’t you ever run away again.” Vaea calls out of the door to Moses “He’s back!” and
then tells Josh that her dad wants to see him. Josh gets up from the sofa, ready to face him.
25
79. EXT. KATANA HOME. EVENING
Josh comes out of the house, repentant, and sees Moses, who asks “You staying?” Josh nods sheepishly.
So Moses points out towards the outrigger and says “So let’s pick up where we left off then, shall we?”
80. INT. OUTRIGGER. EVENING
Josh and Moses are out in the middle of the water. Moses asks what happened and Josh explains what
happened with him and Tania – how she cannot be with somebody who fraternises with ‘the enemy’. He
then takes a deep breath and asks Moses: “What really happened between you and Fara?” Although a
little hesitant, Moses explains his version of events leading up to ’89 race. “Sure, Fara was my star rower
– but he was also a loose cannon. He was pulling everyone else down with him. He wouldn’t listen to my
tactics – I favoured a consistent speed over an initial burst of energy and he disagreed, vocally – and so
he was disruptive to the team. In the end, I decided that his talent and his attitude was tearing apart the
team... so I decided to drop him. And it was the right decision, because we ended up winning!”
Josh asks how Fara ended up being the coach of the island team and Moses says “His family were the
best paddlers, so it was only a matter of time before he got his revenge and I was ousted. Of course, he
took over, which meant only his friends ever got a look in. Today, everyone in the team is a Manakai!”
81. EXT. KATANA HOME. EVENING
Josh and Moses return to shore on the outrigger, and Moses tells him that he’d like to time Josh on the
outrigger. “So in the morning, we’re going to have a time trial...” Josh is excited and Moses tells him to
get a good night’s sleep – “You’ll need it. I’ll even excuse you from shovelling pig crap... just for tonight.”
82. INT. KATANA HOME – BEDROOM. EVENING
Josh lies awake in bed, thinking. He looks at the photo on his bedside table – of him and Tania together,
feeding eels – and makes a decision. He gets out of bed and starts to, hurriedly but quietly, get dressed.
83. EXT. BRIDGE OVER MAROE BAY. LATE NIGHT.
Josh arrives at the bridge and looks around, but he doesn’t see anyone. Just as he’s leaving, he hears
somebody approaching and ducks out of sight. It’s Tania. He reveals himself. Tania: “How did you know
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I’d be here?” Josh: “You told me you always come here when you’re sad... and I hoped you’d be sad.” He
says he’s not going to pressure her – “It was selfish of me to try to come between you and your family” –
but also reveals he’s heard Moses’ side of the story and that things may not be as clear-cut as Fara says.
84. EXT. KATANA HOME. VERY EARLY MORNING.
A rooster crows as Josh emerges from the house with Moses behind him. Moses: “Are you ready, son?”
Josh: “Yeah. I’m ready.” Moses hands him his MP3 player and says: “Well, you won’t be able to hear me
tapping out the beat from across the bay, will you?” and Josh thanks him. Moses smiles and says: “Let’s
go.” They get into two separate outriggers, side by side, and simultaneously push off from the shore.
85. INT. MANAKAI HOME – DINING ROOM. MORNING
Fara, the boys and Tania are eating breakfast around the dining table, when Tania asks Fara to explain
again exactly what happened in 1989. The table goes silent. “You know what happened.” She pushes it
further – “I’ve heard another side of the story” – and Fara erupts with anger: “Don’t listen to a word the
Katana family say... they’re all liars. You don’t know what you’re talking about!” That’s the end of that.
86. INT. OUTRIGGER. MORNING.
Josh is rowing to the end of the bay when Moses says: “Okay, that will do! I want you to go from here,
right up to the other side of the bay where you’ll see a yellow buoy – go around that and come all the
way back again... and I’ll be timing you.” Moses also tells him to remember what he taught him: “Keep a
consistent speed throughout – pace yourself. Don’t worry about anything else that’s going on.”
We see Fara and two of his sons (Mana and Ari’i) arrive on the far shore, but Moses tells Josh to ignore
them. “Just race your race. Now are you ready?” Josh puts in his headphones and nods, so Moses shouts
“Go!” Of course, Josh doesn’t hear him so he doesn’t move – and the Manakais roll about laughing. But
Moses, unperturbed, simply moves into Josh’s eyeline and signals for him to start – which he does. The
Manakai boys watch his fast – but not blisteringly fast – start with quiet respect but nothing more.
We follow Josh as he rows all the way along the bay, steady and in time to the music, and as he nears
the buoy we see Heiva out on the water, practiaing in his own outrigger. Heiva calls out to Josh, but he’s
too focused to notice him. He turns around the buoy and starts heading back. Heiva looks on after him.
Back at the end of the bay, Ari’i spots Josh on the horizon, heading back, and he checks his watch. “He’s
fast, pa!” he says to Fara, who looks at him with daggers. Josh makes it back to the line and Moses stops
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his stopwatch. Josh asks how he did and Moses says: “Good, good... try it one more time” – and Josh
goes off again. Meanwhile, Ari’i reveals to his brother that Josh has just broken Heiva’s island record.
As Josh approaches the buoy he notices Heiva this time, who has positioned himself on just the other
side. “You wanna race, white boy?” he says, and Josh replies “I already am racing, thanks” as he turns
around the buoy. As he starts to head back, Heiva starts up next to him, determined to make it a race.
Heiva very quickly gets ahead of Josh, making some distance between them, but as they get near to the
bay Heiva starts to slow and Josh starts to catch him. Although the gap widens briefly as Josh changes
the track on his MP3 player, Josh gets right up next to Heiva as they’re approaching the last 100 metres
of the track. Just as Josh is about to pass him, Heiva takes his paddle and flips Josh’s boat – going on to
win the race. Moses shakes his head as he passes the finish line: “That’s the problem with you Manakai
boys... you never learn from your defeats, you only ignore them!” Josh emerges, spluttering, from the
water to be greeted by the Manakai boys and Fara laughing at him.
However, Heiva – sitting alone on the outrigger – isn't enjoying the victory.
87. EXT. KATANA HOME. MORNING.
As they arrive at shore and get out of the boats, Moses parts Josh on the back and tells him he did very
well today (though doesn’t mention the record)... “Now go and get ready for the oyster-picking!” Josh
walks off towards the house and, once he’s out of sight, Moses blows out his cheeks. “Wow...”
88. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. NIGHT
Josh walks into the house, feeling good, when Nanihi calls him over. He has a phone call. He picks it up
and it’s from Melbourne hospital – they’ve been trying to contact him for a while. His grandma is in a
very serious condition after suffering a second heart attack. Josh: “A second heart attack? When was the
first?” and is told it was a few weeks ago. She hadn’t told him when he’d called her on the phone. Josh
asks to speak to his grandmother but the hospital administrator says that wouldn’t be possible at the
moment – but she’ll get the nurse to call him as soon as she comes on shift again tomorrow morning.
Josh hangs up and immediately dials another number for directory enquiries and asks for ‘Air Tahiti Nui’.
89. EXT. KATANA HOME. MORNING.
Josh emerges, dazed, from the house and Moses comments: “Oh, there you are!” Then he sees his face
and asks what’s wrong. Josh explains to Moses and the others about his grandma and says that he has
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to go home – he’s booked a flight for first thing in the morning. Moses says he’s very sorry and that he
doesn’t need to come out today but Josh says he wants to help them – it will help take his mind off it.
90. INT. INTERNET CAFE. EVENING
Josh enters the shop and, before Tania can protest he says: “I’m going away.” She asks where and he
explains about his grandma. He asks her to go with him but she declines: “I can’t leave my family.” Josh
replies “Your family – right. I thought you might say that” and bids her farewell. She asks if she will she
him again and he replies: “I have more important things to deal with now.” She’s crying as he leaves.
91. INT. KATANA HOME – LIVING/DINING ROOM. EVENING
Josh is having a final dinner with the family. Moses says it’s a real shame that Josh has to leave but he
understands. “Perhaps you can come back for more paddling practice... or at least try to find a club in
Melbourne so you don't have to waste your talent.” Josh says he doesn’t think so – paddling was great, a
fantastic holiday activity, but it’s time to return to the real world, get a proper job and move on with life.
92. INT. MANAKAI HOME – LIVING ROOM. EVENING
The boys are sitting around talking about Josh’s performance. Heiva says, unconvincingly, that it was
luck, but Ari’i inadvisably reveals that his record was broken. Heiva is amazed – “by a white boy?” – and
they all admit that it’s true. Mana asks what they’re going to do about him – this white boy that tries to
disgrace their sister... that spreads rumours about their father... that pretends to be a paddler – but is
interrupted by Tania arriving home in tears. When questioned by Heiva, she reveals that Josh is leaving
the island for good. Mana suggests they go teach him a lesson first: “Make sure he never comes back”.
Heiva says it’s a good idea – but that he’ll go alone.
93. INT. KATANA HOME – BEDROOM. / EXT. KATANA HOME. NIGHT
Cut between the two scenes. Josh is sleeping soundly in bed. Heiva emerges from the woods to the front
of the house. Threatening. He makes his way onto the farm and goes through the unlocked door, along
the corridor and into Josh’s room. He stands over his bed – it looks like he’s about to do something bad.
Or not. Instead, Heiva reaches down and shakes Josh to wake him up. Josh, very confused, asks what he
wants and Heiva says he wants him to stay on the island. “We need you on the team for next month’s
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Hawaki Nui Va’a race!” Josh refuses – he has to go – but he tells him the only reason he won is due to
Moses’ tactics. “You’re just like your dad... you just want to go out hard. You need to pace yourself.”
As Heiva is leaving, Josh throws one more home truth his way: “And I do love your sister, by the way. If
you’re so happy to accept money from white people, maybe you should learn to accept them too.”
94. INT. MANAKAI HOME. NIGHT
Heiva returns home to find Fara waiting up for him. “Did you sort him out?” Heiva challenges him, asking
if it’s true that he refused to follow the team tactics in ’89, and Fara admits it. “But you always told us
following the coach was God... that his word was gospel. So what you mean was... you were God.” They
talk long and hard and Fara accepts, after all these years, that Moses may have been right to drop him.
95. EXT. KATANA HOME. MORNING
Josh is bidding farewell to the family at the door, as Moses loads his suitcase into the Ute. Josh says an
emotional farewell to each member of the family – kissing all of them, including Moses, on the cheeks
quite comfortably now – but he saves the biggest goodbye of all for Poe. She says “I’m going to miss you
a lot... brother.” Vaea gives Josh a black pearl as a parting gift and Moses calls him over: “It’s time to
go.” He blows them a kiss, jumps in the cab – “Finally... I get to ride up front!” – and they drive off.
96. EXT. MOTU MAEVA AIRPORT. MORNING
The Ute pulls up outside and Josh and Moses get out. They say an emotional, but very male, farewell.
Moses: “It’s been really nice having another bloke around the place.” Josh: “Yeah – for me as well.”
97. INT. MOTU MAEVA AIRPORT. MORNING
Josh is in the queue at customs when he gets a call on his phone. It’s an unknown number. He picks it up
and it’s his grandma’s nurse from the hospital... she’s died.
Josh starts crying – an awkward, public display of emotion – and the nurse tries to comfort him. He asks
why Grandma didn’t tell him she’d already had a heart attack and the nurse replies that she didn’t want
him to come home. “She said you’d finally found happiness, and she didn’t want you to give it up.” She
also tells him that his grandma said “If I die, don’t let him come back to the city... I’ll come to him.”
Josh ends the call and stands in the queue, weighing up his options. Should he stay or should he go?
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ACT THREE
98. INT. INTERNET CAFE. EVENING
Tania is behind the desk, staring ahead, aimlessly. She’s been crying. The bell tinkles and Josh enters the
shop – and Tania’s face lights up. She immediately goes over to hug him, and they embrace for a long
time. Eventually she asks: “What are you doing here?” and he explains that his grandma has died – and
tells her what the nurse had said. “Grandma was right. On Huahine I have a girlfriend, a real family, a
job, a chance to race. There’s nothing left for me now in Australia.”
99. EXT. FARE HIGH STREET. EVENING
Josh emerges from the shop and finds himself face-to-face with Heiva and the Manakai boys. They all
look at him threateningly, and Heiva steps forward, closer to Josh. But then, unexpectedly, he offers his
hand. “Welcome back.” Josh smiles and shakes it. The other Manakai boys are surprised but they follow
their leader and stop being so threatening. Heiva asks Josh: “Does this mean you’re going to join our
team?” and Josh replies: “On one condition only... that Moses becomes the team’s tactical coach. You
know he’s essential to our success.” Heiva reluctantly agrees. Mana steps in and says “You’ll never sell
that to Dad” but Heiva replies: “It mightn’t be as hard as you think” and says to Josh: “You have a deal!”
100. MULTIPLE SCENE MONTAGE. DAY AND NIGHT
1. Josh takes Moses and the girls into town to meet Fara and the boys. Moses and Fara shake hands.
They agree to put their differences aside and work together: Fara as head coach, Moses as tactician.
2. Outrigger training starts on the water. Josh, Heiva, Mana, Rahiti, Reia and the two Manakai cousins
all in separate canoes, paddling side by side. Fara is working with Josh on the water (he's in a motor-
powered outrigger) and he won’t let him wear headphones – “You’re part of a team now”. Josh
struggles to stay in time but Fara keeps coaching him, saying “just imagine the beat in your mind”.
3. Josh is fixing nets on the outrigger with Moses and the girls. He then dives down into the water.
4. Six of the seven boys (one cousin is missing) start training out on the ocean in a six-man outrigger.
It’s not very coherent, as Josh learns to be part of a team and the others adapt to Moses’ methods.
However, they've already been assigned positions: Josh in Row 1 (stroke seat, setting the pace),
Heiva in Row 2 (calling the 'Hut's), Rahiti and Reia in Rows 3 and 4 (keeping the armour on the
water), one of the cousins in Row 5 (the least experienced member) and Mana in Row 6 (steering).
5. Josh introduces Tania to Moses, Nahini and the rest of his family over dinner They’re all welcoming –
Poe especially – and Moses afterwards says she’s a lovely girl. This comment makes Josh think...
6. The team are training in the gym, laughing and joking – getting on well. CUT TO:
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7. The outrigger. The team's improved a lot since the last time: they have a better understanding now.
8. It’s the evening and Josh is shovelling pig dung in the woods, but he has a very wide grin on his face.
101. EXT. BRIDGE OVER MAROE BAY. DAY
Josh is waiting on the bridge, looking nervous, when Tania arrives. They kiss and Tania asks what all this
is about. That’s when Josh gets down on one knee and pulls out a black pearl wedding ring... he asks her
to marry him. She excitedly agrees, adding (tongue in cheek) “As long as you win the race on Saturday.”
102. EXT. AROUND HUAHINI ISLAND. MORNING
It’s the big day – the Hawaiki Nui Va'a race. The TEAM HUAHINE outrigger is at the starting line, beside
the TEAM SHELL boat, and is populated (in order) by Heiva, Josh, Mana, Rahiti, Reia and the elder of the
cousins. They wish each other good luck – in French – as they wait for the starting gun. And they’re off!
Team Huahine start slow and steady, and TEAM SHELL instantly start to open up a lead, but Heiva tells
the boys not to panic. Just keep the rhythm! More boats pass them at the start and they end up right in
the middle of the pack, But as the race wears on the crews ahead of them start tiring and HUAHINE
slowly begin to come back. They move up into fourth place, third, second. As they approach the final
stretch, they’re just half a boat’s length behind SHELL. But... they don’t quite make it. SHELL beat them
to the finish line by quarter of a boat’s length and take the victory.
The crowd around wades into the water to celebrate, splashing TEAM SHELL in celebration, and Heiva
congratulates the boys for a hard effort. No tantrums, no throwing the paddle into the water. Josh goes
up to one of the winning rowers and congratulates him, and he replies: “That was close – closer than I
can ever remember. Another 10 metres and you’d have got us.” Josh replies: “There’s always next year!”
Tania wades out into the water to commiserate the boys, putting some flowers around each of their
necks. She takes extra time for Josh. He asks her if she’s still willing to marry a loser and she smiles.
103. EXT. ISLAND BEACH. AFTERNOON
It’s a beautiful sunny day on a white-sand beach on the south island... and Tania, the bride, is waiting at
the altar. We see Josh approaching from the sea on an outrigger. Both are wearing decorative flowers,
shells and feathers, there are musicians and dancers next to the congregation – it’s a typical Huahine
wedding ceremony. As Josh arrives and the ceremony starts, we focus on the two families – the Katanas
and the Manakais – sitting together, getting on well. In particular, Poe and Rahiti are really hitting it off.
The priest gives Josh his Tahitian name – Anui (‘Big Canoe’) – and pronounces them both man and wife.
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104. EXT. ISLAND BEACH. EVENING
Josh and Tania have found some time alone further along the beach. Josh is carrying an urn containing
his grandmother’s ashes. He tells Tania that she was extraordinary woman. “I’m sorry you didn’t know
her... but she knew all about you. That’s the reason she’s here right now, and I’m not in Melbourne.”
Josh sprinkles her ashes on the sand and proclaims that everybody he loves is now in one place. Tania
takes his hand, tenderly, and they walk hand-in-hand along the beach and back to the ceremony.
CLOSING TITLES.
POST-CREDIT SEQUENCE. INT. OUTRIGGER. MORNING
TITLE CARD: 12 MONTHS LATER
Josh emerges from the sea holding an oyster aloft. It’s the one with the red spot – his first ever one. He
hops onto the boat and expertly opens it up, removing the pearl from inside. His very own black pearl.
He holds it up in the air, examining it against the sky. It’s flawless.
THE END.
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