Romancefest 2014: Tabu

TABU is a very interesting film. It’s a silent film from 1931, at the end of the silent era, directed by F.W. Murnau, one of the greatest directors of the era. The interesting thing, though, is that it was shot entirely on location in the Polynesian islands and all the main parts were cast with real natives, instead of Hollywood stars.

The movie was originally intended to be half documentary and half narrative, but it’s clear from the finished product that while the settings and actors are authentic, the story comes straight from movie-land.

Even though it is not entirely authentic, it is still an interesting snapshot of a time and place, more so than most movies of the era. The sad fact of the matter is that most mainstream movies of the time didn’t show any kind of diversity in culture or if they did it was even less authentic than this. Just the fact that the movie’s shot on location with non-professionals is worthy of comment.

Anyway, the story concerns idyllic life in Bora-Bora, untouched by modern technology, as its interrupted by the arrival of a messenger (Hitu) from some kind of “overall chief” of the island system. He announces the maiden they had who appeased the Gods has died, and they’ve come to fetch a new one from Bora-Bora.

This is Reri (Anne Chevalier) who moments before this messenger’s arrival is playing innocently in a waterfall and flirting with a strapping young fisherman, Matahi (billed simply as Matahi).

The rules are, once a maiden is chosen for the Gods she cannot be corrupted by interacting with mortal man. She’s Tabu. So, looks like the love affair between REri and Matahi is off. Or is it? Spoiler alert: they decide to run off in a canoe and seek their fortunes as pearl divers on another island.

Of course things aren’t as simple as that and the past eventually catches up with our lovers. But that goes without saying.

While the story of TABU is lacking, the visuals are very impressive and you won’t find many films like it. It was Murnau’s last film, and has many of his characteristic touches, including creative use of shadows to help tell the story.