The filming locations for Oceania (whose original name is Moana), the live-action remake of the 2016 animated film of the same name now in theaters, have a crucial task: to give substance to the world in which the Disney heroine lives, a world built on ancient traditions and rites of passage and above all a deep respect for a nature that is an inevitable co-protagonist in everyone’s existence.
To achieve this, the production chose to shoot directly where Polynesian culture was born and continues to thrive, despite the onslaught of tourism: on screen, there are wild coastal panoramas, hidden coves, stunning beaches where the sand is white and the water crystal-clear, and other precious Hawaiian treasures.
Di cosa parla
Moana Waialiki (Catherine Laga’aia), the daughter of the island Motunui’s chief, has from childhood received the call of the sea and grows up with a great respect and fascination for it. Once grown, encouraged by her grandmother and despite her father’s initial disagreement, the princess decides to set out to discover what lies beyond the reef, also inspired by her people’s long history as navigators. On her journey Moana meets Maui (Dwayne Johnson), a Polynesian demigod who helps her better understand the secrets of the sea and to master them to bring prosperity back to her people.
Where the film was shot
The new Disney film was shot on the island of Oahu: the third largest in the Hawaii archipelago. The Oceania locations are, more precisely, situated on the island’s western coast: the area that preserves its natural beauty and strong cultural heritage more intact, unlike places such as Waikiki, which are very frequented by tourists and have seen part of their identity dampened over the years.
Pokai Bay, Oahu
Scenes in the village and those aboard boats were shot, in particular, at Pokai Bay: a splendid golden-sand cove surrounded by greenery where one can bask in the sun, swim among fish, enjoy contact with nature and – with a bit of luck – spot dolphins.
Near the bay lies the site of Kuilioloa Heiau, which is highly significant to the story told in Oceania: it is a sacred place in Polynesian culture, where those chosen as Moana learned to navigate the sea by observing the stars, currents and other signals offered by the generosity of nature.
Makua Beach
Another Oceania location is Makua Beach: a stretch of coast whose jagged profile, pristine nature and unique panoramic views of the ocean convey a sense of unassailable power that suits the mood of the new Disney live action and its heroine. The force of nature seems to accompany the princess Moana, and with her all the spectators, as she discovers the talents she has been given and the missions she is destined to undertake.
Other locations
In some shots it’s possible to recognize traditional Hawaiian heiau temples and other sites where the identity and culture of the region’s indigenous peoples are still preserved and handed down today: these are locations chosen, once again, with the storytelling of Oceania in mind and its dual nature as an adventure and a coming-of-age tale.
In the Disney remake there are also studio scenes, filmed at the Trilith Studio in Atlanta, and aided by digital effects and computer graphics.
