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Eating Up Easter

Native Rapanui (Easter Island) filmmaker Sergio Mata’u Rapu narrates to his son the modern dilemma of their people, descendants of the ancient statue builders, as they face the consequences of their rapidly developing home.

The iconic statues and sensationalized “mysteries” of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) have drawn the interest of the world for centuries, attracting curious visitors to its shores. Today, this tiny, barren island is experiencing an economic boon as tourism skyrockets. Yet the indigenous culture and the island’s fragile environment are suffering.

Eating Up Easter, directed by native Rapanui filmmaker Sergio Mata’u Rapu, explores the dilemma his people are facing. Crafted as a story passed down to his newborn son, Sergio intertwines the authentic history of the island with the stories of four islanders. In their own voices, these Rapanui reveal the reality of modern life and the actions they are taking to preserve their culture and environment amidst rapid development.

A local ecologist leads recycling efforts to tackle the mounting trash arriving with tourists and the waves of plastic washing up on shore. Two musicians struggle to build a free music school they hope will preserve cultural practices and reunite their fractured community. Sergio’s father, formerly the island’s first native Governor, attempts to balance traditions against the advantages of development while building a mini-mall in the island’s only town.

Eating Up Easter reveals and suggests ways forward in tackling the universal complexities of balancing growth and sustainability faced by local communities worldwide.

Filmmakers

Writer

Elena Kouneski Rapu
Liz Kaar

Supervising Producer for PIC

Cheryl Hirasa

Editor

Liz Kaar
Sergio M. Rapu

cinematography

Jeff Saunders

Camera Operator

Mark Mostad
Sergio M. Rapu

Additional Camera Operator

Sergio Moya
Miguel Carrasco Bratti
Cristian Gonzalez
Ricardo Jara
Danica Donnelly

Archival Footage

Betty Rapu
Brigid Mulloy
Colección Museo Histórico Nacional

Sound Mixer

Chile
National Film Board of Canada
ʻŌiwi TV

Music

Cristian Gonzalez
Mauricio Romero

Post-Production Supervisor

Enrique Icka
Toki Music School
Artlist

Motion Graphics

Matt Taylor

Digital Colorist

Diana Cimino

Re-Recording Mixer

Matt Taylor

Transcription Services

Jason Almendinger
Aaron|Stokes Music & Sound

Director of Development

Final Draft Business Support Services Inc.

Director of Finance

Joanna Lakatos

Director of Communications and Distribution

Andrea de Fraga

Director of Production and Post

Tim Horsburgh

Technical Director

Rise Sanders-Weir

Additional Kartemquin Staff

Jim Morrisette

Kartemquin Interns

Maggie Bowman
Leslie Simmer
Max Asaf
Abbie Brewer
Julia Martin
Laura Mesquita-Gomez
Anu Rana
Ingrid Roettgen
Ryan Gleeson
Hillary Bachelder
Nancy McDonald
Beckie Stocchetti
Emily Strong
Pedro Urgiles

Major Funders

Josie Pommering
Alyssa Villegas
Brian Lu
Julia Davis
Ashish Valentine
SJ Wright

Special Thanks

Pacific Islanders in Communications
Princess Grace Foundation
Ford Foundation JustFilms Fund
The Sage Fund at Kartemquin Films
ITVS Diversity Development Fund

Cynthia Rapu
Julianna Rapu Leong
Jan & Charley Sheaffer
Ed & Nonie Kouneski
Fred Hanauer & Loretta Draths
Andy & Maria Awes

Media

Awards and Distinctions

Fifo Tahiti

Official Selection

2020

Montreal International First Peoples Festival

Winner

Rigoberta Menchú Prize 2nd Prize

2020

Sedona International Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Arica Nativa Rural Film Festival

Winner

Mallku Feature Film Award

2019

Arkhaios Film Festival

Winner

Grand Prize; Audience Favorite Film

2019

BendFilm Festival

Winner

Best Environmental/Outdoor Adventure Feature

2019

CAAM Fest

Official Selection

2019

DC Environmental Film Festival

Official Selection

DC Premiere

2019

Dellie Maa

Official Selection

2019

Driftless Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Eugene Environmental Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Festival Internacional De Cine De Valdivia

Official Selection

Chilean Premiere

2019

Friday Harbor Documentary Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Global Peace Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Ground Zero Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Guam International Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Imaginenative Film + Media Arts Festival

Official Selection

2019

International Green Culture Festival

Official Selection

2019

Julien Dubuque International Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Māorliand Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Margaret Mead Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Martha's Vineyard Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Minneapolist/St.Paul International Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Portuguese Surf Film Festival

Winner

Impact Award

2019

St.Louis International Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Take One Action Film Festival

Official Selection

2019

Hawaii International Film Festival

Official Selection

World Premiere

2018

Hot Docs Forum

Official Selection

2016