Epifania (2022)

Epifania tells the story of Epifania Fa‘asavalu, a young Aotearoa New Zealand-born Pasifika matriarch. Framed as a dedication to The Rose That Grew from Concrete — a poetry collection by influential American rapper Tupac Shakur (1971–96) — the film presents Epifania’s narration of how she became the legal guardian of her younger siblings. By documenting her family’s story that alludes to poverty, domestic violence and mental illness, the artist emphasises broader issues and hardships experienced by many Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa. Amituanai’s sensitive depiction elevates Epifania’s profound love for her family, and the strength and resilience that connects Pasifika communities across the region.