Anticipation is on the rise for Disney’s live-action rendition of ‘Moana,’ as enthusiasts of the beloved story will soon have the opportunity to connect more closely with the daring voyager and explorer without leaving American shores.
Moana first captured our hearts in 2016 with Disney’s animated feature. Now, this captivating tale is set to make a dramatic live-action debut, bringing with it one of its most memorable elements—her distinctive canoe.
Fans will be thrilled to know that the very canoe used in the movie is making its way to the Jersey shore this Friday.
The skilled captain who played a part in crafting this iconic vessel for the movie will be docking at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, ready to offer an exciting experience for fans.
Captain Nakoa Prejean teamed up with stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, portraying Maui, and Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, to instruct them on the arts of sailing and traditional wayfinding techniques.
Every textile, every voice, every face of this film belongs to Polynesia. That includes Laga’aia, a 19-year-old Samoan Australian who is making her feature film debut.
She’s been a fan of the courageous daughter of the village chief since she was 9 years old.
From the music to the dance, to the dress, all of this is a full-circle moment for Laga’aia.
She recalls the moment she stepped into the costume.
“I did a try-on in Aotearoa New Zealand, which was really fun,” says Laga’aia. “I got to stand with our costume designer, Liz McGregor, and getting to put it on for the very first time was very surreal. You’re seeing and feeling these things for the first time, and they’re all made out of the authentic material that they would have been made out of, which is so fun. It’s such a beautiful thing to get to wear and don these outfits as a representation of where we all come from.”
That, she says, is the beauty of this film: the commitment to authenticity and the culture of the Pacific Islands.
For more on Moana’s canoe making a stop in Point Pleasant Beach, click here.
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