Pasifika in Entertainment

Navigating Culture, Language, & Preforming Arts in Disney's Live Action 'Moana'

The release of Disney’s live-action "Moana" film involved local expertise and talent from CSUSM and our surrounding area in San Diego and greater Southern California. Audiences will learn about the making of the film through the perspectives of the Oceanic Cultural Trust, a group created by the film company to serve as cultural consultants on Oceanic language and performing arts.

CSUSM faculty Dr. Grant Muagututi’a served as the lead cultural consultant for the film. His work focuses on the need for Oceanic language conservation efforts through mainstream popular media, independent documentary film, community partnership programming, and in higher education institutions both locally and abroad. He, along with others involved in the film, will offer reflections on their specific roles in making the live-action film.

Members of the Oceanic Cultural Trust and actors from the film will engage audiences with behind-the-scenes stories and live-action musical and dance performances exclusively for CSUSM to inspire everyone to reimagine how grassroots cultural arts education can shape more inclusive experiences of higher education and impact popular media representations.

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