Red, White & Brass 2023

Ticket pursuit and setback

Maka tries to buy tickets to the Tonga vs France game but ends up purchasing fake tickets from a local criminal. His mother manages to recover the funds, but the tickets are already gone, leaving him empty-handed for the big match. The failure sets him on a mission to find another way to watch the game.

A plan to form a brass band

With tickets off the table, Maka hatches the plan to form a brass band to provide pre-match entertainment. He has only four weeks to put together a group that might impress the crowd and the elders. The high-stakes deadline drives his improvisational approach.

Recruiting the unlikely crew

Maka reaches out to family, church members, and friends to assemble a makeshift band. He also brings in a recently arrived Tongan migrant and a local Pakeha music teacher to train and equip them. Skepticism from elders and his conservative father tests his leadership from the start.

Audition arranged with Wellington City Council

Aroha, a Māori council worker, helps secure an audition with Wellington City Council to represent the Tongan community. The effort hinges on convincing officials that a non-traditional group can deliver an authentic pre-match performance. The clock is ticking as the four-week window narrows.

Botched audition and social media fallout

Maka botches the audition by trying to blend modern hip-hop with traditional brass sounds. The council rejects the group's application, delivering a setback for the project. Footage of the failed audition circulates on social media, embarrassing the Tongan community and its elders.

Back to the drawing board: impromptu show

Unfazed, Maka stages an impromptu performance to prove the band's viability and to prompt the council to reconsider. The crowd and council observers witness a raw, earnest display of talent. The moment rekindles hope despite the earlier rejection.

Compromise with the elders

Maka's father speaks with the elders and negotiates a compromise: the band will participate, but perform a traditional Tongan hymn rather than a fusion piece. The elders’ approval is hard-won and becomes the turning point for the plan.

Community backing and costumes

The Tongan community rallies behind the band, manufacturing red costumes and offering support. Their collective effort lends legitimacy and a sense of shared pride to the project. The communal energy helps the group move toward the big day.

Final rehearsals

The group works under the guidance of a Pakeha music teacher and a recent migrant, polishing the hymn and learning the steps. They train in rehearsal spaces and make final adjustments before the match. The preparations intensify as the deadline approaches.

Match day performance

On match day, the brass band performs their traditional hymn with subtle hip-hop moves. The new blend is met with a warm reception from spectators and celebrates a community achievement. Maka, Veni, and their allies feel the impact of their unlikely triumph.

Match outcome (post-credits note)

A post-credits blurb notes that Tonga beat France 19-14, underscoring a historic moment for the community. The score cap the story with a sense of victory beyond expectation. The film frames the success as a celebration of culture and perseverance.