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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 12 January 2019

Humble Pacific island movie star Mungau Dain dies in mid-20s

By NICK PERRY, Associated ler and Bentley Dean de- would have to go to Dain.
Press cided to make the movie, She said she doesn’t think
WELLINGTON, New Zea- which is loosely based on a he’d even seen a movie
land (AP) — Mungau Dain true story, Butler said they before acting in one.
had never considered act- quickly realized the village She said that when they
ing before he starred in elders would be doing traveled to Venice for the
the Oscar-nominated film the casting. He said Dain film festival, she was in her
“Tanna.” He got the role looked too old for the role apartment when the chan-
because his elders decid- with his full beard, but 10 delier and ceiling started
ed he was the best-looking minutes later he’d shaved shaking. It turned out it was
guy in their traditional vil- it off at their request. Dain and the other villagers
lage on the Pacific island He said he fondly remem- in the room above, stomp-
nation of Vanuatu. bers how awkward Dain ing their feet in a traditional
They would later describe was when trying to act in a dance.
him as their answer to Brad scene in which he was sup- “He was a really proud am-
Pitt. posed to lift co-star Marie bassador for his people,”
Dain died Saturday in the Wawa in his arms and carry she said. “It’s a real loss.”
capital Port Vila, after con- her along a river bed. She said Dain had been
tracting a leg infection that This Sept. 9, 2015, file photo shows Mungau Dain in Venice, Italy. Butler said he and Dean staying in Port Vila for the
wasn’t quickly treated. He Associated Press. plan to travel to Yakel at past couple of months as
was in his mid-20s. His village, Yakel, on Tanna thatch huts and wearing the end of the mourning he tried to get a tempo-
Martin Butler, who co-di- island, remains in a tradi- nothing but grass skirts or a period to join the village in rary visa to come to Austra-
rected “Tanna,” said Dain tional two-week mourning penis shield called a nam- celebrating Dain’s life. lia and earn some money
wasn’t a natural actor period. bas. They raise crops and “I was totally devastated. picking fruit.
but was very enthusiastic, Jimmy Joseph, the cul- pigs, and observe a tradi- He was so fit and young She said a doctor had ex-
learned quickly, and end- tural director for Tanna is- tional way of life known as and gorgeous. His wife is plained that Dain had got
ed up giving a fabulous land, said Dain was quiet, kastom. fabulous and the kids are an infection in his leg that
performance. The 2015 humble and respected in But the village isn’t com- great,” Butler said. “He was he didn’t treat and by the
movie won a number of Yakel, where he had cho- pletely isolated from mod- a great example of how time he was taken to the
awards, including two at sen to remain living even ern life. When villagers you can live a totally differ- hospital he was uncon-
the Venice Film Festival, after achieving some fame make the trek to the is- ent type of life, and still be scious and likely in septic
and was nominated for an in the movie. He said Dain land’s main town to sell completely happy.” shock.
Academy Award for best never drank or smoke. the coffee beans they’ve Location producer Janita Butler said he hoped there
foreign language film. People in the village typi- grown or buy rice, they Suter, who lived in Yakel may be some way to get
Dain is survived by his wife, cally choose to live as they usually wear clothes. Some for seven months during better information to peo-
Nancy, and two children. have for centuries, in simple have cellphones, which filming with her husband, ple in Vanuatu about the
they charge with small so- Dean, and their children, risks of infections, and that
lar panels. said if there was an award Dain’s death could act as
When Australia-based But- for most improved actor, it a catalyst.q

Jackson allegations and fight over

them return with new film

By ANDREW DALTON, AP
Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An
attorney representing two
Michael Jackson accusers
who appear in an upcom-
ing documentary says their
sexual-abuse allegations
have not been discredited
as the Jackson estate says,
and deserve to be heard.
Vince Finaldi, who repre-
sents Wade Robson and
James Safechuck in law-
suits alleging Jackson mo- In this May 25, 2005 file photo, Michael Jackson arrives at the
lested them, said the suits Santa Barbara County Courthouse for his child molestation trial
were dismissed on techni- in Santa Maria, Calif.
cal grounds, not the cred- Associated Press.
ibility of the men’s claims, were boys, will be heard Sundance Film Festival,
and they are now under again in the two-part, four- the channels announced
appeal. hour documentary “Leav- Wednesday.
The stories of Robson and ing Neverland,” which will The Jackson estate re-
Safechuck, who came for- air on HBO and British pub- leased a statement saying
ward as adults to say Jack- lic broadcaster Channel 4 the documentary is “just an-
son had sexually abused in the spring. other rehash of dated and
them for years when they It premieres Jan. 25 at the discredited allegations.”q