‘Moana’ Creatives on Working Closely to Honor Polynesian Culture and Traditions, and Why Representation Matters in the Live-Action Film
Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana" has reached cinemas this weekend, a decade after the 2016 animated original, with its cast and creative team emphasising how closely they worked to portray Polynesian culture authentically. Star Dwayne Johnson used the premiere to reflect on growing up without seeing himself represented on screen, and the film is being welcomed as a milestone by Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander audiences. Directed by Thomas Kail, the adaptation places traditions such as Māori tā moko tattoos, dance and generations of Polynesian heritage at its centre.
To ensure the representation was respectful and accurate, a large group of artisans, consultants and advisers worked with the production's Cultural Trust, including lead consultant Dr Grant Muāgututi'a, choreographer Tiana Nonosina Liufau and songwriter Opetaia Foa'i. Liufau drew on dancers from across the Pacific Islands, blending forms such as the Ori Tahiti, the Siva Samoa and Tongan movements into the musical numbers, and deliberately choreographed sequences so dancers' faces remained visible. Muāgututi'a focused on reflecting the culture's traditions of respect, with detailed attention paid to village scenes and how characters interact, particularly within the council of chiefs.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Cultural representation in mainstream media matters profoundly for communities historically excluded from global screens, and Disney's extensive consultation with Pacific Islander choreographers, tattoo experts, and cultural advisers demonstrates genuine respect for Polynesian traditions. Bringing these stories to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, guided by Pacific Islander creative voices, elevates cultural visibility and pride in ways that independent productions, however authentic, typically cannot achieve through broader distribution.
The case against
Whilst cultural consultation is important, a profit-driven studio ultimately controls creative and financial decisions about indigenous stories, creating a dynamic where Pacific Islander culture is presented through a Hollywood institutional lens serving mainstream audiences. The resources, distribution power, and prestige devoted to this adaptation would more authentically serve cultural preservation and celebration if directed toward funding independent Pacific Islander filmmakers who retain complete creative ownership and decision-making authority over their own stories.
Explained simply
Disney's 2016 animated film "Moana" was significant for featuring a Polynesian lead character at a time when Pacific Islander audiences rarely saw themselves in major films. The live-action adaptation, directed by Thomas Kail, continues this focus on authentic representation, with the filmmakers working closely with cultural consultants throughout production to ensure traditions and values were portrayed respectfully.
To achieve this, the production collaborated with cultural advisers and specialists from across the Pacific Islands. Dr Grant Muāgututi'a focused on reflecting traditions of respect through character interactions and village scenes, whilst choreographer Tiana Nonosina Liufau worked with Pacific Island dancers to incorporate authentic movement styles into the musical sequences.
The film incorporates Polynesian cultural traditions including traditional tattoo designs, dance forms such as Ori Tahiti and Siva Samoa, and Tongan movement styles. The production team also emphasised how community values and family relationships are portrayed in village scenes, ensuring these cultural elements shaped character interactions throughout the film.
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