Tabu: A Story of the South Seas
dir. F. W. Murnau · 1931
Plot
In his final film, F.W. Murnau presents the tale of two young lovers on the idyllic island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific. Their life is shattered when the old warrior declares the girl to be the Chosen Maid and it is forbidden for any man to even look upon her. Refusing to accept a life apart, they run off to another island, one that is decadent and westernized. The boy works as a pearl diver but not quite understanding the concept of money, is soon in debt. When the old warrior tracks them down they again plan to run away but in a desperate attempt to pay off his debts, the boy dives for pearls in shark-infested waters. The boy is successful but fate seems determined to keep the two lovers apart.
Why watch
A young couple, torn from their idyllic life on Bora Bora, faces the wrath of an old warrior who declares the girl the Chosen Maid. Their desperate attempts to escape societal constraints lead them to a decadent island where love and survival intertwine in a perilous dance. Watching this film is like being enveloped in a lush, romantic dream that slowly reveals the harsh realities of desire and cultural dislocation.
Talking points
- the representation of indigenous cultures in cinema
- the tension between love and societal expectations
- the role of nature in shaping human experience
- the evolution of cinematic storytelling from silent to sound film