A documentary of 52 minutes

Directed by Jérôme SÉGUR

Produced by ZED with the participation of France 3 / Discovery Channel / RAI 3 / RTSI

Editing Françoise BERGER GARNAULT

Original Music by Pierre ESTEVE

« Becoming a Man in Melanesia » follows the epic ordeals of two young men who live on sepaarate islands. And though they will never meet each other, they share a common, singular goal : to make the difficult passage into manhood. Each will face a grueling initiation ritual. Success will mean new status and responsabilities within each boy’s tribe – but success isn’t  guaranteed. If they fail, they will remain children within their community.

To achieve this adult status in Melanesia, Junior from Kontu island in Papua has to capture a shark armed only with a lasso and a propeller, whereas Wabak from Pentecost island in Vanuatu has to jump from a wooden tower, his ankle bound with thick vines… 

Two ordeals, each with the same goal : becoming a man