Tuki Laumea with Elizabeth Osifelo on set in the Solomon Islands. Photo credit: Nine Islands Media.
A Pasifika TV-supported Solomon Islands–Aotearoa New Zealand film has been selected for competition at FIFO (Festival International du Film Océanien) in Tahiti.
The War Below: Restoring Hope in the Solomon Islands examines the continuing impact of unexploded ordnance (UXOs) remaining in the Solomon Islands after World War II.
More than 80 years later, these remnants of war continue to cause deaths and injuries across the country.
Filmed entirely in the Solomon Islands, The War Below follows survivors, victim advocates, and those working to clear UXOs.
It documents their experiences, the ongoing efforts to make affected areas safe, and serves as an urgent call to action.
The film is a co-production between Solomon Islands Local Media Agency and Aotearoa-based Nine Islands Media, and is funded by NZ On Air in collaboration with Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) as part of the Pacific Regional Media Fund (PRMF), awarded in 2024.
The fund pairs Aotearoa-based Pasifika producers with producers in the region to collaborate on Pacific content.
The War Below was among six projects supported by the inaugural fund.
The War Below is directed by Sāmoan BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Tuki Laumea (Nine Islands Media), and co-produced by Tuki Laumea, Elizabeth Osifelo (SILMA), and Cleo Fraser (Nine Islands Media).
Tuki, who grew up between Sāmoa and Aotearoa, is a globally recognised filmmaker who has spent many years making documentaries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
In recent years he has focused on highlighting issues and history in the Pacific, reflecting his deep connection to his roots and his expertise in creating compelling, culturally rich narratives.
These projects have earned him multiple Best Pasifika Program awards at the New Zealand Television Awards (2018 & 2021).
Tuki is a strong advocate for sharing knowledge and skills to uplift Pacific storytelling across the region. He also believes strongly in giving a voice to the voiceless in a genuine and respectful way.
“Up to 20 people are killed or injured by WWII bombs in the Solomon Islands each year – my focus in creating this film is to shine a light on this issue and create real change for survivors, as well as safeguard future generations,” Tuki says.
“This is a story of survival, healing, and hope. And it is a call to action across the region and the world.
“It’s an honour for our team to be acknowledged by such a respected festival such as FIFO in Tahiti. And importantly it helps bring wider awareness to the ongoing threat of WWII UXOs in the Solomon Islands.”
The idea for the documentary came from co-producer Elizabeth Osifelo, drawing on her reporting on UXOs in the Solomon Islands through Tavuli News, which she co-owns.
“We want to know, whose mess is this? Whose war was it and who pays the price? Telling this story…is important because survivors and victims need support.
“Solomon Islands has tragically lost lives of loved ones, and we will continue to do so…it is important because we need more support.”
By telling this story, it has created awareness around the dangers Solomon Islanders face every day, and about safety measures needed for children in particular, she adds.
Tuki highlights the importance of the co-production, working alongside SILMA as well as highly respected senior journalist and podcaster Dorothy Wickham (Melanesian News Network), former senior correspondent for ABC Australia, who served as assistant director on The War Below.
Ongoing issue in the Pacific
According to RNZ Pacific, 202 UXOs were removed from a school site in Honiara in 2024.
In 2021, two people were killed and others injured in Honiara when an American 105mm shell exploded, and in 2020, two aid agency workers were killed while surveying for UXOs.
Maeverlyn Pitanoe is a survivor of the 2021 explosion. She is one of a number of survivors featured in The War Below and is founder of registered local charity Bomb Free Solomon Islands, a charity supported by the film.
The Solomon Islands is not alone, with the likes of Palau and Nauru also dealing with UXOs.
Elizabeth says the documentary drives empathy for survivors, and also the push for responsible authorities to step up and provide the help needed throughout the Solomon Islands.
“Above all, what we have come to learn is a lot needs to be done, and it’s just a matter of time before someone loses another loved one.”
On November 15, Nine Islands Media hosted a community screening of The War Below.
The screening was generously supported by the New Zealand High Commission to the Solomon Islands, PCBL, Solomon Airlines, King Solomon Hotel, the New Zealand Police, and The HALO Trust.
Tuki, who ensured transport was provided to victims and their families to attend the screening, says it was vital those featured in the film saw it first, and that the film was shown in its country of origin before anywhere else.
“This is only the start of my commitment to this cause, to Bomb Free Solomon Islands and to the survivors,” he says
“Nine Islands Media continues to be in close contact with those impacted and is working to ensure this film is distributed widely to create the biggest impact for the Solomon Islands.”
Pacific partnerships
Junior Hunter, Chief Operations Officer, and Tia Soakai, Regional Content Manager, attended the community screening, representing PRMF partner PCBL.
Junior says partnerships built throughout the project are at the epicentre of its success.
“We also worked closely with the New Zealand High Commission and NZ On Air to keep them informed about the collaboration and its significance.
“These partnerships were essential; without them, this documentary would not have been possible.”
Providing a voice
Tia, a daughter of the Solomon Islands, says every Solomon Islander knows someone whose story is tied to the war — a grandfather, a village elder, a family’s land.
“The legacy of WWII isn’t history preserved in books; it’s still lying beneath our soil,” Tia says.
“A week before the premiere, there was yet another UXO incident in Town Ground (central Honiara) — that’s how real this is.
“My hope is that this documentary ignites deeper awareness — something as simple as raising a fire off the ground or using a drum could save a life.
“The War Below hit hard and there was not a dry eye in the room.
“It honours the families who have suffered and brought something hopeful to life, Bomb Free Solomon Islands, finally giving victims a voice and support, and at the end, when the call to action was made, everyone in the building stood to their feet and pledged together.”
Tia adds removing every bomb will take time, but for now, people can be more aware, share knowledge, and look after each other.
“This film is more than a documentary — it’s a lifeline for our people.”
Music collaboration
The film’s original score is a collaboration between musicians from Dreamcast, led by James Kauhiona (Jay Kau), and Aotearoa New Zealand–based composer Anonymouz (Faiumu Matthew Salapu).
Tuki says survivors explicitly mentioned the score as a highlight, sharing that it made the film feel grounded in Solomon Islands culture.
Film’s future
Tuki is working to have the film shown at as many festivals as possible. It will then be broadcast across all Pasifika TV channels, before being shown in Aotearoa New Zealand and then more globally.
For updates on the film, follow The War Below – Solomon Islands UXO Documentary on Facebook or Instagram.
How to donate
Nine Islands Media is collecting donations for Bomb Free Solomon Islands via the New Zealand donations website Givealittle.
All funds (minus unavoidable transfer fees) are transferred directly from Nine Islands Media to Bomb Free Solomon Islands founder and chairperson Maeverlyn Pitanoe.
Bomb Free Solomon Islands is a registered charity overseen by a board of volunteer leaders and UXO survivors. Funds go directly to victims and advocacy work, with a small portion allocated to administration.
Film credits
Director: Tuki Laumea
Producers: Tuki Laumea, Elizabeth Osifelo and Cleo Fraser
Executive Producer: Cleo Fraser
Director of Photography: Tofilau Arthur Rasmussen
Second Camera: Tuki Laumea
Assistant Directors: Dorothy Wickham and Jeremy Gwao
Camera Assistant: Bradford Noda
Editor: Vanessa Williams
Music Composer: Anonymouz
Production Managers: Adrianne Rikihana and Hayley Felise
Cultural Advisor: Dorothy Wickham
Actors and Musicians: Dreamcast and James Kauhiona (Jay Kau)
