Stuff We Like

Looking For Mr. Right {DVD}

Vanuatu's wonderful Wan Smolbag Theatre delivers again with "Mr Right Guy," a film about safe sex and self respect. It takes you on a night on the town with Maureen and her friends, and the many choices she has to confront. As usual with this outfit's productions, the plot, script, acting and songs ring true. The accompanying multi media DVD includes songs, scenes, posters, fact sheets and activities for group learning and discussion, including role plays and written exercises. A must for teachers and parents, "Mr Right Guy" is collaboration between the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's HIV/AIDS program and Wan Smolbag.

For copies email aidssection@spc.int or click on www.wan-smolbag-theatre.org

Exploring One and a Half Pacific Islands {Book}

Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the relocation of the entire population of Banaba's people to Rabi Island in Fiji. It's a story that has been well told before, but this remarkable book brings an entirely new dimension, in collecting the personal stories of those people and their descendants in a compelling whole.

Banaba was first devastated by phosphate mining undertaken by the British Phosphate Company (mainly to the benefit of Australia and New Zealand) and then by the Japanese occupation of World War II, in which many Banabans were killed. This tragic history is retold in the words of Kabunare Koura among others. But the voices in this volume are many, and include Banaban men, women and children, as well as I-Matang- those from the outside.

In assembling One and a Half Pacific Islands, co-editor Jennifer Sherman appeals for more and better aid for the people of Banaba, on Rabi, in Fiji and in Kiribati. "There are so many ways that even a modest amount of direct aid to the Banabans would make a world of difference on Rabi...It might be pointed out that the Banabans are in a position to teach us something about fishing, and dancing, and remembering history," she writes.

One and a Half Islands is written so the reader can dip in and out. But it's such a moving and incredible series of stories that it is well worth spending the time to read it from beginning to hopeful end.

Victoria University Press. www.vuw.ac.nz/vup NZ$39.95

Meet The Bollywood Beauty {Book}

Shalini Akhil's The Bollywood Beauty tells the story of Kesh and Rupa, two young Indo-Fijian cousins. Kesh now lives in Australia, Rupa in Fiji and while as children they were inseparable, as adults their differences cause enormous conflict, particularly when Rupa comes to Melbourne to study and live with Kesh. Akhil is most convincing and funny in drawing the scenes of domesticity, the attention to detail on food and feasting, and the organized chaos of family and religious celebrations such as Christmas and Holi. Also a stand up comedian, she can make you laugh out loud, but also addresses weightier issues- arranged marriage, questions of identify and culture (especially for the diaspora) and the dynamics and responsibilities of family.

Penguin Books www.penguin.com.au A$22.95