# Papua New Guinea’s Most Expensive Film, ‘Mussau: The First Song,’ Wraps Shoot, Unveils First Looks (EXCLUSIVE)

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/papua-new-guineas-most-expensive-film-mussau-the-first-song-wraps-shoot-unveils-first-looks-exclusive/
- Published: 2026-11-07T23:58:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T00:34:26+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/papua-new-guinea-most-expensive-film-mussau-first-song-wraps-1236942202/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Music

## Key points

- Papua New Guinea’s $4.5 million film has wrapped after 40 days of filming.
- The drama features dialogue in six languages, including endangered local languages.
- Producers are targeting a 2027 festival premiere and possible Oscar entry.

## Summary

Papua New Guinea’s most expensive film, the $4.5 million historical drama *Mussau: The First Song*, has finished filming after a 40-day shoot. The production matters for its focus on Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage, including several endangered local languages, and for bringing community members into the cast.

Directed by Indian filmmaker Bijukumar Damodaran, the 1930s-set story follows Taula Livovoa, a young islander whose rejection of tribal violence and embrace of a new faith sparks social change. A 120-person crew filmed on remote Mussau Island and in Goroka; the dialogue uses six languages, and some cast members are descendants of the people who inspired the story. The producers are aiming for a major festival premiere in 2027 and hope the film will become Papua New Guinea’s entry for the 100th Academy Awards.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.