The islands of Tuvalu are located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia. It is one of the smallest and most remote countries on earth and is considered by many as destined to become of the Earth’s first tangible victims of global warming. The environmental threat to the country makes itself evident on a regular basis. The highest point of Tuvalu is four and a half metres above sea level, the average level not even two. Rising sea levels and severe storms are flooding the islands with increasing frequency.

Despite this, many Tuvaluans do not believe that climate change will render them nationless. This devoted Christian country places huge trust in the nearly daily occurrence of rainbows as evidence of the eternal covenant between God and the land; that never again will the earth be flooded.

Land is the most valued possession to the Tuvalu culture. The word “fakaalofa” is attributed to a person without land. The literal translation of this means “a person deserving of pity”. Climate change, rising sea levels and destructive weather is creating the great risk that in a near future all Tuvaluans could become “fakaalofa”. What is going to happen to a nation without their home islands to anchor their culture?

WORLD EXPO

The film has been part of the World Expo 2008, Zaragoza, Spain. Screened on daily basis in the Water Pavilion cinema theatre, the festival was host to nearly 6 million visitors.

BROADCAST

Broadcast in The Netherlands (Nederland 2), Austria (ORF-TV), Turkey (CNN) and China (RTHK).

FILM FESTIVALS

Ocean Pacifica Festival 2011, Sydney, Australia
8th Taiwan Design Expo 2010, Taipei, Taiwan
Cine Mube, Cultural Film Festival 2009, São Paulo, Brazil
Ecofilms Festival, International Film and Visual Arts Festival 2008, Rodos, Greece
DOCSDF 2008, 3rd International Documentary Film Festival Mexico City, Mexico
PICNIC ‘08, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
DesignEX ‘08, BODW, Hong Kong
World Expo 2008, Water Pavilion, Zaragoza, Spain
Eco Aesthetics 2008, Ministry of VROM, The Hague, The Netherlands
Eco Aesthetics 2008, TAG, The Hague, The Netherlands
Shoot Me Film Festival 2007, The Hague, The Netherlands