A Samoan music scholar has achieved great recognition by winning the “Best Creative Award” for his documentary titled “Wuhanese: Language of Heroes” at the prestigious “Me and the Communist Party of China in the New Era” International Political Party short video contest. Philton Solomona, originally from Fiji, stood out among the participants and secured the coveted award for his remarkable documentary, which explores his journey of learning the Wuhan dialect. The film is part of the esteemed Looking China Youth Film Project, aimed at offering fresh perspectives on China to a global audience.
Solomona, who also directed both the video and music in his documentary, expressed his deep gratitude for this achievement, considering the opportunity a true blessing. He credited his documentary crew for imparting valuable knowledge on video production and shooting techniques. He also acknowledged the Looking China organization and his university for providing the platform and supporting his participation in the competition. Solomona made sure to extend his appreciation to his family and friends for their unwavering support and love throughout his journey.
Thrilled by the success of his creation, the passionate filmmaker emphasized that his foremost intention was for the documentary to resonate with the people of Wuhan. He strongly believes that when individuals are blessed with talent and presented with opportunities, it becomes their responsibility to make a positive impact. Solomona expressed his gratitude for the recognition his documentary received from the Central Government of China, validating the significance of his work and reinforcing his conviction that his talents are being put to good use.
Having spent more than six years living and studying in the People’s Republic of China, Solomona firmly believes that there is much Samoa can learn from China, particularly in the realm of music and related fields. He stated, “As a musician, my primary focus is to explore how Samoa can benefit from China’s expertise and advancements in music.” Over the years spent in China, Solomona has become increasingly aware of the valuable lessons that Samoa can glean from its relationship with China.
During his application for the China Scholarship Council (CSC) award, Solomona expressed in his interview that his main objective was to acquire knowledge in music and bring it back to Samoa and the Pacific region for their mutual benefit. This award signifies a significant milestone in his quest to bridge cultural gaps and enhance the music scene in Samoa.
