RETURN TO TUVALU: A PEACE CORPS STORY (2019-2020)

Writer / Director

Producer

Editor

Motion Photography

1980s Stills

Additional Photography

Drone Photography

Special Thanks

Nick Erickson

Andrew Erickson

Scott Erickson

Myra Erickson

Tusi Tapuaiga

Nick Erickson

Bikenibeu Paeniu

Foketi Paeniu

Toeupu Nivaga

Makaga Toematagi

Leopold Paeniu

Tusela Makaga

Tagisia Toematagi Efata

Mau Toematagi

Talauila Toematagi Teauli

Selau Toematagi

Tamiloga Toematagi Silo

Afelee Falema Pita

Lita Afelee

Falema Afelee

Stephanie Schreck

SYNOPSIS

Two Returned Peace Corps Volunteers return to the small Pacific island country of Tuvalu 37 years after the conclusion of their service. Scott and Myra bring their now adult sons to Nukulaelae, an island of roughly 300 people, to experience the unique and beautiful culture of the place they called home for nearly 3 years. On their journey they face unpredictable travel schedules by sea and forces of nature that almost prevent them from reaching their coveted destination. Through challenges of uncertainty the family turns to their Tuvaluan friends, appreciating the beauty of the islands and catching up on a generation of missed time together. This is a story of human empathy and the value of cultural exchange, as well as a philosophical look into mankind’s relationship with nature, the prospect of climate change, and a celebration of the Peace Corps.

Directed and narrated by their youngest son, Nick, this is an attempt to tell a deeply personal story with far fewer resources than a typical documentary film. All images are from a GoPro camera, a Mavic Mini drone, old photographs from the 1980’s, and recent cell phone footage of tropical weather events.

NOTES

Surpassed 300k views on Youtube as of April 2021.
A lot of positive response particularly from Pacific Island nations.
Broadcast to Tuvalu TV.
Broadcast to New Zealand on Oriana TV.

ABOUT

Before this was a film it was a journey. For my family, this was the trip we always knew we needed to do, but never managed to do it. I grew up in Northern California where my parents would often speak a foreign language no one else in our community understood. It was private to both of them. This was due to their mysterious past prior to my birth of their life in the peace corps. It was there they lived in Tuvalu on the small island of Nukulaelae. I grew to be familiar with it through their oral stories and photographs. As I grew into adulthood, I began to realize just how much their Tuvaluan culture had imprinted onto my own identity. Through language, the display of arts and crafts in our household, and just plain, overall kindness to others, my brother and I always knew there was a presence of Tuvaluan culture in our lives, and we knew ultimately we would make the journey there eventually. It was a life goal for my parents to return to Tuvalu with me and my brother and reconnect with their old friends and family on the islands.

This film is what came out of that journey, 37 years in the making, since the day my parents last laid foot in Tuvalu. Over three flights, we traveled by air from California to Fiji and from Fiji to Funafuti, the main island in Tuvalu. From here we had to find last minute transportation by sea to make it to Nukulaelae because our scheduled vessel was unpredictably dry-docked.

This was not a typical “production” by any means. This was more so a labor of love. We were on the go all the time, so my packs were light. I carried a GoPro Hero 7 Black with me everywhere and tried to document as many interactions and visuals as I could. My brother also supported me by filming with his GoPro Hero 8 Black. For the aerial shots I used a (new at the time) DJI Mavic Mini, which was very easy to travel with, or carry in your backpack as you drive up and down the lagoon on a motorbike.

We almost failed to make it back to my parent’s former home of three years, but I truly believe our journey could not have happened any other way. Very rarely have I felt so much purpose and destiny.

QUOTES

“Im in awe of how your parents still spoke Tuvaluan fluently. I thoroughly enjoyed your work man. My heart is always to help whoever I come across in life at any time and you giving your glasses at the end got me tearing up. I love you my uso.” - Vaniah Toloa (Famous Musician)

“I felt so emotional and feel the messages coming out of the video. Well done! Very impressive and coming from the heart. How wonderful.” - Bikenibeu Paeniu (Former Tuvaluan Prime Minister)

“This is better than watching a Hollywood movie . I LOVE IT !!!” - Josefa Sinusetaki

“This should be on Netflix or something! There’s a hold all islands have on its people. This film really encapsulates that feeling really well. I’m glad Tuvalu got to hold your family once more.” - Setarita

“Please someone nominate this for an award 😭” - Ravi Raj

“This is a masterpiece...inspirational, spiritual, emotional, heartwarming and full of mana. You have an amazing narating voice aswell. Thankyou for sharing your journey, I have been touched deeply🙏🌺” - Te Mana Performing Arts

"❤😭.. this video melts my heart... My Dad (from New Hampshire) was a peace corp in the 70s, he was asigned to my home island called Onoun... there he met my mom and after few years they got married.. He spoke our language fluently till the day he passed.😭 ur story brought tears to my eyes.. remind me so much of my dad .” - Ritual Piece

“Wow what a beautiful story. I was literally crying and shocked at the same time at how your dad still speak Tuvalu fluently, I believe he speaks better than other Tuvaluans who were brought up in other countries. The flow of the video and the narrator is very professional 💚 and makes me watch this video over and over. Thanks Nick for sharing your story 👌💚” - Terikiai