I am the Good Fairy (Na Noniep)

Because there are many problems in the Marshall Islands, people started to create films based on their reaction to their culture and modern way of life. These movies are called, “Microwave films.” They were produced by Niedenthal and Suzanne Chutaro. However, in NA NONIEP, the opening scene of the whole movie means a lot to me and for every Marshallese also. I watched this scene three to four years ago and it was very interesting and meaningful.

First, it begins with modern way of life. It is when people play tricks that we called Black Magic. For Marshallese, Black Magic is when we use satanic rituals or using magic against each other to destroy each other’s life. As a result, this scene convinces people a lot. At first, it shows how people played the evil tricks to each other. After that, it shows how people react and felt about what just happened and what caused a terrible incident to be happened that way. For example in one scene, the old devilish woman name Lijimu who played the evil woman in that movie used Black Magic to destroy other people’s life. When people started to notice what she has been doing every single day, they started to spread rumors and talked behind her back. Soon, she started to realize that what she had been doing every day was bad. She felt regret and learned from her mistake and quit what she was spending most of her time with. Now the full effect of this part of this scene is that it stopped people from doing bad things and we can see that it is happening. Also, we are no longer hearing gossip about Black Magic anymore.

Second, the most common problem in the RMI is all about money. One scene showed how people react toward money. It shows how money influences many different roles. For example, a poor person can’t have a family with a rich person. Also, because that person is poor, people will treat him or her badly. What exactly the part of this scene is trying to say is that we should have equality and respect one another. Second, it shows why people had to leave their own country and that is also because of money. Another scene showed that people want their own life to be perfect. However, they cannot do that because they don’t have much money. Why? The best answer is because they weren’t able to finish their education and they can’t have a job with a good salary. The big question in this part of this film is, “What if the American government told every Micronesian who lives in the United States to come back, where would they live?” This really convinced me and especially those who live in the States. Now, what I am hoping for is the return of every Marshallese from the States. I know that one day this will happen.

Finally the film ends with this question: “Where is our culture?” Nowadays, the culture and lifestyle of every Marshallese has been changed. It is really different from our traditional lifestyle. People started to follow other country’s customs and way of life. They wear clothes differently. They eat different foods and act differently. They act like they are not really Marshallese. This question has given every single Marshallese a chance to answer it on their own.

Also this scene is very interesting because it gives us clues about what is happening in the Marshall Islands. They show that money, people’s attitudes, and culture are the main issues or common problems in the RMI. The film makers are trying to change everything from something bad into something good. To convince is the word that I would use about why these people started to create films this way. I HOPE… I HOPE… I HOPE…