An interview with Vita Luijten on documenting Tuvalu's environmental challenges

Could you tell us about your graduation project? 

 
Vita: 'My journey into this project began with a news article forwarded by my mother about the Tuvalu Islands, which are facing disappearance due to climate change. Intrigued by the subject, especially since I had a connection to someone there, I decided it would be an excellent topic for a documentary.' 

‘In high school I attended an event in Japan called High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” 2019. Given the Netherlands' vulnerability to rising sea levels, a few Dutch students were invited. It was during this event that I met Raijeli, she was representing the Tuvalu Islands. We stayed in touch via a Facebook group, and when I stumbled upon the news article about the islands, I reached out to her again.' 

‘As a fast-track student, I need to do a project within a company for my Capstone (graduation project). So, I reached out to the director of the Flood Museum (Watersnoodmuseum Zeeland). I already knew him from when I was in high school. They were already involved in several projects, and mine seamlessly aligned with their existing ones.’ 

Could you share some insights into the process of your project? 

 
Vita: ‘The crowdfunding aspect was crucial. I didn't have much time beforehand to organise everything. I returned from the Bocaina project in Brazil in October, and by mid-November, I had the idea for the Tuvalu project. During the Christmas break, I focused on it, brainstorming as many concepts as possible and raising funds.' 

‘Going to Tuvalu was quite an adventure. I had planned to spend three weeks there, but due to last-minute ticket unavailability, I ended up bridging one week in Fiji. Traveling to Tuvalu was a challenge in itself; there are only two flights per week from Fiji to the islands. However, despite the logistical hurdles, I managed to spend two weeks on the island, capturing footage for my project.’ 

'Working on this project came with its unique set of challenges. The locals operate on what we might call "island time," which is much more relaxed compared to our fast-paced schedules. For instance, if you arrange to meet at 9 a.m., they might show up at 4 p.m. This posed some difficulties as the shooting days were limited by daylight, typically ending around 5:30 or 6 p.m. I had to make the most of every moment for filming, which sometimes meant adjusting my plans.’  

‘Despite the challenges, the people on the island welcomed me into their community like family. I was invited to birthday celebrations and even a wedding on my second day there. I was fortunate to have Raijeli by my side, she picked me up from the airport and showed me around. Together, we explored the island.' 
 
'Currently, I'm in the midst of video logging and organising footage. Soon, I'll begin the editing process, piecing together all the elements of the documentary. Initially, I had an outline in mind, but upon arrival at the islands, I had to adapt it based on the ground realities.'

‘The project needs to be finalised by June, and before the documentary premiere in November, I plan to present it to a select group of individuals for feedback on my work.’ 

What message do you hope to convey through your documentary? 

 
Vita: 'Through the voices of the island's youth, I aim to highlight the urgency of preserving the Tuvalu Islands and, by extension, our planet. It's a call to action, emphasising that collective efforts can make a difference in combating climate change. Or, as they say on the island: "Save Tuvalu, to save the world”.'

Looking ahead, what are your future plans?

Vita: ‘Following the documentary's premiere in the Flood Museum in November, my aim is to possibly extend its reach and potentially collaborate with a documentary production company. My passion lies in crafting authentic narratives that place humans at the forefront.’

'But firstly, I aspire to travel and explore the world, delving into diverse cultures and broadening my horizons. There is so much to discover, so many stories to uncover. Who knows what fascinating people I will meet along the way.' 
 
 
To stay informed about Vita's ongoing projects and professional journey, connect with her on LinkedIn. Follow along as she continues to make waves in the world of documentary filmmaking and beyond!