Indigenous Missionary Biopic ‘Mussau: The First Song’ to Shoot in Papua New Guinea With Indian National Film Award Winner Bijukumar Damodaran Directing (EXCLUSIVE)

Papua New Guinea-based NAFA Productions has unveiled “Mussau: The First Song,” a historical biopic rooted in the life of Taula Lovovoa, one of the first indigenous Seventh-day Adventist missionaries from Mussau Island.

Set in the 1930s, the film charts Lovovoa’s journey of transformation and reconciliation on an island that Australian colonial reports of the era branded the “Devil’s Paradise” and forecast would cease to exist within two decades.

Parul Agrawal produces, with Noelene Taula Wunum serving as executive producer. At the helm is Bijukumar Damodaran, a three-time Indian National Film Award winner whose prior feature “Papa Buka,” an India–Papua New Guinea co-production, earned the distinction of becoming the country’s first-ever Academy Awards submission.

The story originated with Hilda Tanimia. Screenplay credits are shared by Damodaran, Joses Imona, and Jennifer Litau, with Litau also handling Tok Pisin and vernacular-language translation duties. Yedhu Radhakrishnan is behind the camera, and Davis Manuel takes the editing chair.

Five languages will be heard on screen – Mussau, Emira, Agarabi, Tok Pisin, and English – among them several classified as endangered. The production treats the presence of native speakers in these roles as a contribution to the broader effort of linguistic preservation. Every member of the cast hails from Mussau, and each will be making their screen debut.

Agrawal said: “‘Mussau: The First Song’ is a story that belongs to the people of Mussau and to Papua New Guinea. We are committed to telling it with authenticity by working closely with the local community, historians, and cultural advisers. We hope the film introduces international audiences to an extraordinary chapter of Papua New Guinea’s history.”

Wunum added: “This project represents a remarkable collaboration between filmmakers, government institutions, and the people of Mussau. We hope it becomes a film that Papua New Guinea can proudly present to the world.”

Damodaran said: “Papua New Guinea has fascinated me ever since I made ‘Papa Buka,’ an India–Papua New Guinea co-production that became Papua New Guinea’s first-ever official submission to the Academy Awards. That journey introduced me to a country of extraordinary cultural diversity, powerful traditions, and deeply rooted histories that remain largely unknown to the world. It also left me with a desire to return – not as an outsider looking in, but as a filmmaker committed to telling another story from within Papua New Guinea itself.”

He added: “‘Mussau: The First Song’ is that return. The film celebrates the richness of Papua New Guinea’s indigenous cultures – their languages, rituals, music, landscapes, and traditions – with authenticity and respect. As a filmmaker, I have always been drawn to stories of people living on the margins of history, whose lives reveal universal truths about humanity. Taula’s story belongs to that tradition.”

Tanimia said: “Taula Lovovoa’s story has lived for generations through the oral traditions of Mussau. Bringing that history to the screen is both an honor and a responsibility.”

Imona added: “Our goal has been to balance historical authenticity with cinematic storytelling while remaining faithful to the history, culture, and people of Mussau.”

Litau said: “Language is at the heart of this film. Preserving Mussau, Emira, Agarabi, Tok Pisin, and English on screen is not only about authenticity – it is also about protecting an important part of Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage for future generations.”

Shooting on Mussau Island is targeted for late September. The film is aimed at international audiences and draws on a chapter of Papua New Guinea’s history that has had little exposure beyond the country’s borders.