Café des Idées in Wellington

Tupaia’s Endeavour

The next “Café des Idées”, organised by FAST! – France Aotearoa Science Technology & !nnovation and Alliance Française Wellington, is honoured to host Lala Rolls, filmmaker and senior lecturer at Victoria University, who will present her documentary “Tupaia’s Endeavour”.

Tracing the journey of Tupaia, the Tahitian who agreed to navigate for Captain Cook, this exploration of first contact was shot in Tahiti, Aotearoa and the United Kingdom.

Made and funded in fits and starts over eight years, the documentary combines interviews and reenactments — with Kirk Torrance as Tupaia — plus special imagery by Polynesian artist Michael Tuffery. Lala Rolls also directed an hour-long version for French Polynesia, which won the International Jury Prize at Tahitian festival FIFO.

📅 Friday, 04 April 2025 – 5.45pm
📍 Alliance Française, 78 Victoria Street, Wellington
🎟️ Free entry, Koha donation