Friday night at the Return to Paradise screening at Lefaga took Su’a Frieda Paul down memory lane.
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Sixty three years ago, she had taught actress, Roberta Haynes to do the siva. During the filming of Return to Paradise, Su’a helped out with the logistics and worked in their office.
She would also make the calls for everyone to be on deck as the busses were coming and she had a lot to do with the crew.
Su’a has the greatest memories of those days. Strong friendships were formed and the experience was a lot of fun.
“We were all young and in [our late teens] and coming here to be in the movie. What a big thing!”
When the shooting wasn’t until late evening, Su’a and the girls would lie around on the beach or they would be singing and dancing to kill time. Then they would be woken up at about 4am, to perform dances for the movie.
“I can’t say anything bad about them because they were wonderful and were good to all of us.
All the young girls, we had fun and it was just nice.”
Many other movies may have been made since, but for Samoa, “this is our film”, she said. Also to have leading actress Roberta Haynes to celebrate the movie’s anniversary is special.
“It’s really wonderful to see each other again. We were all good friends. And to see her again is really a pleasure. We’ve all changed.
We all have our aches and pains and thank God we are still alive and well.”
Asked how she felt to be at the anniversary celebrations, Su’a laughed.
“I feel old! That’s the first thing and I’m amazed at how beautiful this resort is.”
During the movie shoot, the surroundings were just natural. It was just beach, rocks and coconut trees. A lot of the beach scenes were shot further up from where the resort is actually located.
Su’a was looking to watch the digitalized version of the movie that night.
For her, it was a chance to see everyone.
She gasps. “Va’ai ia lale! Va’ai ia lale!”
Albums containing photos of the girls and the different scenes during the making of the movie, were given to resort owner, Jim Gilchrist, by Su’a and her godfather, Terry Dunleavy. Mr. Dunleavy who was living here in Samoa at the time, played an airman in the movie. But back to Friday, Su’a is excited and talks about how lucky they were to be alive and to witness the occasion.
“We’re very happy to be together. Probably, just one more time!”
1. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei’ataua 2. Sherma, Sianiu and Lemalu Shirley 3. Joan and Velmar 4. Maeva and Mareva Betham 5. Roberta Haynes and Malu 6. Viopapa Annandale Atherton 7. Milema, David, Michael and Vena-Liz
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