Bati

Filmed in Suva and the highlands of Namosi, Fiji, BATI is a powerful new addition to Pacific Island cinema from first-time feature filmmaker Andrew John Fakaua Ponton. Starring local Fijian actors James Rabuatoka, Jedidiah Tuinasavusavu, Asesela Ravuvu, and Naibuka Qarau, the film follows the journey of a humble security guard who pursues his dream of becoming a professional boxer to support his struggling family.

Snapshots of Fijian life – village visits, city workdays in Suva, singing, family celebrations, and community gatherings – are interwoven with moments of hardship, perseverance, and the physical and emotional grind of preparing for the Bati Boxing Tournament. Set to a soundtrack featuring beloved Fijian artists such as InsideOut, Sailasa Tora, Matanibola, and the Viwalu Family Gospel, BATI carries a distinctly Fijian spirit. It’s a story of determination and heart that stays with you long after the final bell.