Monday 9 July 2012

Bula from Fiji!. Bollywood in Fiji, Hollywood in Fiji and free ebook!


Bula from Fiji!

MOVIES IN FIJI

If you missed him on facebook,
this is the Fijian policeman
next door. Cute uniform!
Bollywood has overtaken Hollywood as the biggest movie maker in the world and I was surprised to see a Bollywood takeover of Fiji. There are currently several productions taking place (four simultaneously) and locals count themselves lucky to be asked to play extras for the princely sum of $30 (AUD $15ish) per day. Wages in Fiji are very low, even for professionals like policemen and teachers, so the Fijians are happy to earn a little extra to be an extra (pun intended). Anything that helps a struggling economy is a positive if you can get over the fact that to most of us such low wages reek of exploitation.

I shouldn’t have been too surprised at the popularity of Bollywood movies here, as 37% of the population of Fiji is Indo-Fijian compared to 57% of native Fijians. Every day there are Bollywood movies showing wherever you go to visit or eat as most of the businesses are owned by the Indo-Fijians. There are Bollywood movies on the television if/when I turn it on during the day. Not to mention the shops and handicraft stalls where you can buy saris and look the part! (Psst, I got to try on a sari of Nas’ and report it is very uncomfortable when you’re not used to it!)

GEOGRAPHY LESSON, LOL!

Fiji consists of two largish islands, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu (where Nas lives and I'm hanging out). Vitu Levu has Nadi (the tourist capital) where Nas has her home, and Suva, (the political capital). However, these are just 2 of 300+ islands. The scenery is what most people consider paradise – golden sandy beaches, reefs, jungle-type mountains complete with waterfalls – all making beautiful locations for movie making.

Long before Bollywood invaded Fiji’s sparkling shores, Hollywood was here! Here are some movies made on the Fijian islands which you may recognize:

  • ·         Robinson Crusoe (1932)
  • ·         The Blue Lagoon (1948)
  • ·         The Blue Lagoon (1979) - remake
  • ·         The Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)
  • ·         Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)
  • ·         Cast Away (2000) – the island (Monuriki) is now unofficially called Tom Hanks Island and after a day trip there everyone wonders how Tom and his volleyball could drag themselves away. There is actually an island already called Castaway Island so they can't change it to that!
  • ·         Contact (Jodi Foster’s ‘heaven’ sequence)

For the Bollywood fans, the major movie currently being shot around Suva, Nadi and the islands, is Table 21, starring Rajeev Khandelwal and Tina Desai.

The reason why Hollywood stopped choosing Fiji for locations is because of the instability of its government. Since independence from the Brits after 96 years of colonial administration , then the first steps to Fijian self-government in 1960, there have been four coups, with Commodore Frank Bainimarama in charge since he declared himself President in 2006. Democratic elections are set for 2013. Registration is currently underway. Great news!

Maybe Hollywood will return!
As will I. On our go-to list for next week:

·         Cocktails, dinner and watching the fire dancers at Denarau (an island close to Nadi Town)
·         A bus trip all the way around our island, Viti Levu – via the Queens Road to Suva, then return via the Kings Road through the mountains.
·         A full day sailing on the Seaspray 83 foot classic schooner, visiting 9 islands, including a traditional Fijian village.
Plans are known to go awry, but that’s the plan for now! As you can imagine, there’ll be some awesome snaps.

The lucky couple at Denarau where you catch the boats for the islands.

Moce (Goodbye) and Vinaka (Thank You) for reading a little about Fiji.

 FREE EBOOKS!


Carole Anne Carr is offering her ebook Candle Dark for free for three days from 6th July until 8th July. She is also offering her ebook First Wolf free for two days—July 12th and 13th. So be sure to check them out!



41 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh my gosh, Denise, you are making me want to travel!!! Your time in Fiji sounds wonderful. I hadn't thought saris would be uncomfortable. Ha!

Francine Howarth said...

Hi jammy devil,

Fun in the Sun!

Not so envious of your Fiji jaunt today, hee hee, sun has shone for three days. But it's Monday and back to the grindstone of getting another novel up on Amo ASAP. Playing with book trailer at the mo.

best
F

Talli Roland said...

Oh, your trip sounds WONDERFUL! And how cute is that policeman?

Denise Covey said...

Ah, my dear author friend, you don't have time to travel except in your mind! Excellent news! D.

Denise Covey said...

He is so cute and so kind too. Has been very helpful with suggestions for seeing the real Fiji. D,

Denise Covey said...

Man are they ever uncomfortable. I like natural fabrics - cotton and linen. But they do look cute. D,

Miranda Hardy said...

It sounds so lovely there. Enjoy your week.

Theresa Milstein said...

I knew Bollywood was huge, but I didn't know it was that huge. Extras get paid maybe $100 or $200 here. My sister wanted to be an actress, and was an extra a few times in New York.

I think Tom Hanks was able to leave because he had to be so skinny to play the role. He probably wanted it to be over so he could gain weight again!

Lovely photo at the end of the post.

Charmaine Clancy said...

I've worked as an extra, here in Australia, and although the pay is good here, I never got asked to do a Bollywood movie! Next time I watch one, I'll check out the background dancers for a glimpse of you Denise ;)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Looks like you're having a great time! Glad you clarified which scene in Contact because I'm pretty sure those large telescopes sit in New Mexico, USA.

J.L. Campbell said...

Thanks for the info.on Fiji. Interesting stuff. It also sounds as though you have a full schedule. Enjoy!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I would love to try sailing!

Lynn Proctor said...

cool info--thanks :)

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Entertainment is what we want, so it comes as no surprise to me that Bollywood would be so lucritive.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Vinaka, Denise. This post is fascinating, and I appreciate your sharing your adventures with us.

I also appreciate your taking the time - during your travels, no less - to share info (er "just gossip" ?) on chocolate. I refuse to believe it. In case it's true, though, I'm stocking up effective immediately.

Keep enjoying.

xoRobyn
xoRobyn

Unknown said...

Awesome info about Fiji! Thanks!
It's great to hear you wrote about the Egyptian demonstrations. I now live on the Red Sea, and thankfully we didn't see much action here. If you ever want more info on Egypt, feel free to contact me. :-)

Denise Covey said...

Lexa, you can be sure I will. I will be visiting to check more about how you live. D.

Denise Covey said...

Ha, the more we stock up, the more we eat. I've been very thankful that they have Tim Tams and Cadbury's here in Nadi. Phew! D.

Denise Covey said...

Interesting. Bollywood does have that feel-good factor sadly lacking in many Hollywood movies.
d.

Denise Covey said...

I made sure I checked that Alex.Knew you'd wonder about it. D.

Elen Lackner-Poemas de amor. - Piano said...

Hello dear Denise... Thank you very much for visiting me. You are very nice friend. I ´´ come to read you.. it´s very interesting what you write. I´ll be again to visit you. Kiss Elen

Elen Lackner-Poemas de amor. - Piano said...

Excuse me my type mistakes. Kiss Elen

D.G. Hudson said...

We get Bollywood movies here also, as the Indo-Canadian culture is alive and well in British Columbia, Canada.

New follower, nice to meet you. Also joined your Pichets in Paris blog. Can't get enough of Paris.

If you get a chance, please visit my other blog: DG Hudson - 21st Century Women, re-a current post about a different look at the Tour de France, which you mentioned in one of your posts.

http://dghudson.blogspot.ca/

Anonymous said...

Your plans sound absolutely idyllic. Enjoy Fiji. It sounds amazing!

Denise Covey said...

Lovely that you visited Elen. I hope you come again. Good way to practise English. D.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Maddy. D.

Nancy Thompson said...

Oh you lucky, lucky girl, you! In positively green!

Anonymous said...

Am so happy for you! You and hubby are going to have an awesome experience. Of course my favorite is the photo of you two!!!

Denise Covey said...

Thank you Ann! D.

Iris B said...

Love the photo. You look so relaxed. Great post. Like Fiji and hopefully one day I'll get there as well. As it rains and storms outside I just read your words and imagine the beauty of the islands :-)

The Poet said...

My beautiful Denise,
Being from the Islands, I know the fun you are having (smile).The days will go by quickly, so take as many photos as you can for those beautiful memories. We can tell that you are having fun. Continue to do so and know that I will be on the airport, with FLOWERS, to receive you home (LOL)!! Have FUN for all of us my friend!!

Jemi Fraser said...

So awesome!! You must be so thrilled to be there. THe pictures are gorgeous!! :)

Ciara said...

Love the photo. I'd love to go to Fiji some day.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Ciara.D.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks for visiting Jemi.

Denise Covey said...

I'm having fun a'plenty dear Andy. Flowers would be nice, lol. D

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Denise for your kind support.

Carol Kilgore said...

My list of places I want to visit keeps growing. Sigh. Keep having fun!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'm snickering because you must be Donna Hole's partner that ran off to Fiji that she was whining about on her blog. LOL. For the record, I'm so jealous. I so want to be with you in Fiji.

nutschell said...

Fiji sounds like a super interesting place to visit. I really have to sit down and watch a Bollywood movie one of these days. I keep hearing about it:)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Nas said...

Oh Denise!

I'm sure the tourism Fiji would be glad of all you do about Fiji!

Many thanks my friend!