“Ña Noniep” — “I am the Good Fairy” — is the second film in as many years to be filmed and produced in the Marshall Islands. It is a tale about an elementary school boy who struggles after being put under a black magic spell.
The story follows the friendship of two students, Liki (Brandon Jack) and Miko (Lulani Ritok), whose relationship is ruptured when a car accident involving Liki’s father results in the deaths of Miko’s parents and brother.
That sets the stage for Miko’s grandmother Lijimu (Netha Gideon) to whip up a black magic potion that Miko unwittingly delivers to Liki. Within minutes Liki begins going off the deep end, and in the days that follow his behavior goes from bad to worse under the evil spell.
What can the Noniep (Kyle Trevor) — a Marshallese fairy — do to help Liki rid himself of the spell that is driving him crazy? That is the question that intrigues the audience until the end of the film.
“It was thrilling to see a film that was conceptualized, written cast, filmed and edited in the Marshall Islands with a Marshallese cast and spoken mainly in Marshallese language with English subtitles,” said Dartmouth University Prof. Andrew Garrod, who has directed a series of Shakespeare plays involving Majuro high school students over the past five years.
Others were equally enthusiastic about the film written, directed and produced by Jack Niedenthal.
U.S. Ambassador Clyde Bishop watched the premier and said afterward: “I thought it was wonderfully entertaining with a strong moral message. It is a good example of how to educate and maintain Marshallese culture.”
Bishop was impressed with the quality of the acting and directing of the film, particularly in view of it being a “first effort” for everyone involved in the film. “All in all, an uplifting movie that should nurture a sense of pride and self-worth among the Marshallese people, and anyone interested in fostering principles for a more tolerant and caring society.”
“Ña Noniep” is the second film in as many years to be produced in the Marshall Islands relying on local students, though that is the only resemblance that Ña Noniep has to “Morning Comes So Soon,” a highly acclaimed film released in 2008 that put the spotlight on racism and suicide in Majuro.
“After watching ‘Ña Noniep,’ I feel encouraged that filmmaking in the RMI is continuing,” said “Morning” producer and director Aaron Condon. “Jack has done a great thing for the arts in the Marshalls. I hope that ‘Morning Comes So Soon’ and ‘Ña Noniep’ inspire some Marshallese to tell their own stories and let the world see the depth of insight and talent that the Marshallese people have to offer.”
What Garrod said he found wonderful about “Noniep” is the recognition by “Marshallese kids that their lives and reality are worthy of exploration in film.”
As with the plays that Garrod directed since 2004 with Marshall Islands High School students, the film presents young people “doing a good job,” Garrod said. He added that it underlines the message that great things “can be done.”
Niedenthal said he has submitted the film for consideration to six international film festivals, including the International Youth Film Festival in England in August and the Hawaii International Film Festival in October.
