Local star shines on the big screen

Rain Te'i as Victoria in First Place

“It’s big, it’s brown, it’s beautiful and it’s set in South Auckland.”

That’s how one of the stars describes the new feature film First Place, which tells the story of an unlikely group of students coming together to try and win at Polyfest.

Rain Te’i, a Māngere local, who plays the lead character in this heart-warming drama, says the complex role also impacted her on a personal level.

“Playing Victoria was definitely a journey. At her core, she’s just a girl who is grieving the loss of her mother.

“But for me, stepping into a character like that was really vulnerable and I think I see myself in her and I think I found a better understanding of who I am through her.”

The movie is produced by Coconet TV, who were also behind the award winning film Inky Pinky Ponky, and it is currently available on YouTube but will also be released on TVNZ+ as a six-part web series.

Te'i says what also makes the project so special is that it’s a “a Pasifika story told by Pasifika people” while also giving her the chance to represent her southside hometown.

“There are a few nods to Māngere. It’s kind of an if ykyk [you know, you know] situation but everyone from Māngere will know. Me and Charm (who plays the character of Koko) are from Māngere so we hope to represent our neighbourhood well on screen.”

Check out the film on www.thecoconet.tv or search for it on YouTube.