When Sione’s Wedding hit the big screen in 2006, it was an instant hit. It broke the record for the biggest opening weekend of any New Zealand film and turned its stars – the comedy group The Naked Samoans – into household names.
With the release of the new prequel series Duckrockers on TVNZ 2, the Weekly caught up with the original cast to reminisce about the ground-breaking movie.
Sione’s Wedding cast in 2006.
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie and mini-me Duane
Though Robbie Magasiva has starred in everything from Kiwi favourite Shortland Street to Aussie hit Wentworth, he admits no job has ever compared to working with his friends on Sione’s Wedding.
“It was the most fun I’ve ever had on set,” tells the 50-year-old with a smile. “I looked forward to going to work and laughing with The Naked Samoans. Looking back, it was historic to have a Kiwi story told from a Pacific Island perspective and that people of every could race could relate to it.”
Filming scenes for the new Duckrockers series, Robbie was proud to see the next generation taking up the mantle. He enthuses, “I loved seeing the new boys figuring it out and smashing it. I’ve been in this industry for a while now, and it put a smile on my face seeing so many brown faces behind and in front of the camera.”
Oscar Kightley
Oscar (left) is giving the next generation a taste of fame, with his younger self Augustino, and Bella Kalolo-Suraj.
Sione’s Wedding co-creator Oscar Kightley will never forget arriving on set for the first day of filming. After months of working on the script with his friend James Griffin, he couldn’t believe their story was finally going to come to life.
“The fact we’d reached that day was special. It was amazing seeing all the cast, crew and production people getting paid to work together to make something cool.”
The other thing that stays with the 53-year-old is the joy of people around the world connecting with his funny friends. He explains, “It had been a dream of mine to be in a movie for so long. It was so impactful seeing the audience enjoy it so much and to see another Samoan movie up on the big screen.”
Shimpal Lelisi
Levi and role model Shimpal.
When he signed on to make a comedy movie with his friend, Shimpal Lelisi, 50, never imagined it would involve intense stunt work.
“The thing I remember most is the stunt guy telling me how to fall head-first into a wedding cake. I didn’t think it would be so technical!”
The Celebrity Treasure Island star still created shows with his fellow Naked Samoans and looks back at that time as one of the great experiences of their friendship. “I didn’t realise it fully at the time, but the chance to work with your friends on something you’re all passionate about is pretty special. It was a lot of nerves but also a lot of laughs.”
Teuila Blakely
Teuila and Tiare.
When Teuila Blakely landed a role in the hit comedy, she had only a handful of screen credits to her name. “I was terrified,” the 47-year-old recalls of her first day on set. “It was the first film I ever did, which was a huge goal of mine. It taught me that I was capable of doing anything, despite my fears.”
Not only has Teuila returned for the new series as an actor, but she now also serves as a writer and producer.
“I care about this project so much. I put my heart and soul into it.”
Heto Ah Hi
Heto and Stan the man Dallas!
Though he was a graduate of New Zealand drama school Toi Whakaari and a veteran of the stage, Heto Ah Hi admits making Sione’s Wedding was a steep learning curve.
“It was scary as it was new territory for all of us. I had trouble figuring out the continuity of my character’s arc because it’s shot out of sequence,” he laughs.
While he made his name as lothario Stan, the real-life Heto is a devoted partner, and these days works as a writer and editor on mental health campaigns.
Dave Fane
Bolo buddies Rocky and Dave.
Despite the fact it’s been 16 years since Sione’s Wedding arrived on our screens, Dave Fane says to this day, he can’t escape his character’s moniker.
“After all these years, I still get called Bolo on the street,” he laughs. “I almost feel sorry for Rocky, who plays the new Bolo, because the curse will now be his!”
But Dave wouldn’t change working alongside his fellow Naked Samoans. “I said yes to the movie because it sounded like it would be a good chance to hang out with all my buddies. But it really helped open up the world to our brand of humour.”
Watch Duckrockers Wednesdays at 8.30pm on TVNZ 2. Sione’s Wedding is streaming now on TVNZ+.
