Oceans Apart: Greed, Betrayal and Pacific Island Rugby (2020) Poster

(2020)

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9/10
Powerful and hard hitting
colinliddell-7392218 November 2020
Like many of the players from the region this documentary is hard hitting and will hopefully have a big impact.

It clearly shows the inequality and obvious imbalance in power that exists in the rugby hierarchy which is not open to change.

Shows that rugby is ran at the top by people who do not encompass the values that rugby prides itself on
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9/10
Important and hopefully game-changing
david_pollitt21 November 2020
The Pacific Island nations provide world rugby and many of world rugby's elite teams with players of magic. This documentary brings, at last, the inequalities and exploitation behind the Flying Fijians, Manu Samoa and Tonga to the wider public consciousness. Passionately told by those at the coalface, at personal risk in many cases, campaigner and ambassador Dan Leo exposes hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the international game. This film lays bare the myth that rugby's values set it apart as the true "beautiful game".
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9/10
Eye opener on the real world behind rugby's values
jagkelvis21 November 2020
Direct, to the point and an honestly felt review that helps rugby fans around the world to understand the journeys of players from a remote part of the world into spotlight of the global game. It's not all champagne and starlight - the truth is touching, warming and honourable. Well worth a watch. Well done Dan Leo - Keep doing what you do....
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10/10
Watch it even if you don't like rugby
hfcowie16 November 2020
This doc exposes the inequalities and injustices built into international rugby (as well as corruption in Pacific Island rugby at a national level). You don't need to care about rugby to be interested in this story.
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10/10
Hard hitting and shocking facts
geekoro-7771117 November 2020
It's a shame this documentary has to exist, but it does a great job of exposing the corruption in world rugby and highlighting the struggles faced by Pacific Islanders. A very well-made documentary, let's hope it makes a difference to how Tier 2 teams are treated
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10/10
Thought provoking. £80 match fee for an international player is appaling.
simon_pett21 November 2020
Watched this documentary and the spriit of the Pacific Islanders shines through. The tier 1 nations should be ashamed and right this wrong now.
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10/10
An eye opening must watch
abbeyruthmiles20 November 2020
What an amazing, eye opening watch into Pacific rugby. The documentary is a truthful story, that gives so many valuable and deserving people a voice that they haven't had in the same way before. Dan Leo gives light to such an important topic and Callum Drummond's cinematography brings the story to life in an amazing way.
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10/10
A must see for anyone who likes equality and rugby.
jasonulstet21 November 2020
Simply brilliant. A deep thought provoking informative piece that's exposes the self serving nature of tier one nations. It also shows the incompetence of World Rugby and their willingness to restrict the growth of the game for short term financial gain and not long term sustainability.
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10/10
Superb documentary
gashf-8670130 November 2020
Tier One administrators need to watch this doc and hang their head in shame at the appalling treatment of Tier 2 nations. Added to that the internal greed of the Pacific Islanders own administrators who appear to be prime ministers etc and you see the appalling treatment of players who are used and abused and ultimately thrown away once they retire. Sadly these players if they have any sense aspire to play for tier 1 nations rather than their own countries due to the money and being able to provide for their families.

Dan Leo does a great job in this doc highlighting the disparity that exists and I hope it will help their cause.
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7/10
A no thrills documentary that packs a punch
adammcgheeuk23 November 2020
If you like and follow rugby, it wouldn't be any surprise to know that the majority of the worlds top players originate from the pacific island nations of Tonga, Fiji and Manu Samoa. This documentary through the accounts of past and present island players, shares a glimpse of the harsh social-economic realities they face to represent their countries.

Pros: -Brilliant narrative -Links with current affairs -Direct interviews with heads of state and game.

Cons: -Pursuit of being subjective at the cost of narrator and Samoan legend Dan Leo. -Production could had been a bit tidier ie filming and interview scenes.
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10/10
Great insight into pacific island rugby
robblount-5145621 November 2020
Enlightening look into the struggles of tier 2 nations. As a fan of tier 1 rugby I had no idea how unjust the system is, particularly to such prolific rugby countries as the pacific islands
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7/10
I don't get it
stipvukic19 January 2022
This what happening in Rugby in Oceania, happening in footbal in Africa, baseball in Cuba, etc. Economy and big leagues brings money. Hope sport in general will change, but I doubt. Btw, beautiful country.
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10/10
Reality of Pacific Nations Rugby
robpickup21 November 2020
Being a massive rugby fan & having played with/against my fair share of Fijians over the years whilst serving in the Army. I've always had an interest in Pacific Nations rugby due to their personality, contribution & flair.

This documentary highlights how badly treated the Pacific Nations rugby unions are treated & it is not only shocking but a real shame.

We should be working with these nations to make them stronger & allow them to be more competitive on the international stage. Allowing a team from the Pacific Islands into Super Rugby is merely a drop in the ocean of what needs to be done.

Hopefully some people of real importance high up in the unions see this & make some changes as a result.

Off the back of this documentary I would love to volunteer my time & potentially do some coaching in the beautiful Pacific islands.
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10/10
Eye opener
higgy36521 November 2020
I had an abstract notion that the Pacific Islands got a raw deal from World Rugby and the Tier 1 nations but this film really opened my eyes to how bad things are and how great the need for reform to ensure a fair deal is.

Recommend this for any rugby fan.
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10/10
If you love Rugby you need to watch this film
tsfuxsg21 November 2020
A Fantastic insight into the game we love and how the part of the world that produces some of the best ,if not the best players in the world, are getting a raw deal.

Definitely worth a watch
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10/10
Tough reality
mmatusacebo21 November 2020
It shows the though reality of the South Pacific Rugby system, corruption cases and complicity of top sport officials. Worth the watch.
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9/10
A must watch for all sports fans.
macaulayshiel22 November 2020
A fantastic documentary which highlights the exploitation of the Pacific Islanders by one of the biggest sports in the world. Changes in rugby are needed and needed now!
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10/10
IMPACT
fgbgxaqj21 November 2020
This documentary is a real eye opener to all sports fans, but especially rugby fans. The core values of the game are not being carried out by those who are not only paid but tasked with guiding the game to the highest levels. Definitely recommend and please share with all of your friends/family who have an interest in sport/rugby.
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10/10
Must watch!
danielgurry21 November 2020
If you love rugby or support you need to watch this and see how some of the greatest countries In our game are treated!
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10/10
AWESOME
bruce-9137421 November 2020
Fantastic. Dan Leo is Fantastic. The story is sad, but has to be told.
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10/10
Such an important documentary.
maitreya-5189321 November 2020
If you love rugby or equality you'll enjoy this documentary. An honest and straight forward look into the challenges, corruption and hope behind rugby.
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10/10
Eye-opening and important
bencisneros27 November 2020
A brilliantly-made documentary on a minimal budget. Inspiring and alarming; shocking and heart-warming. A must-watch for anyone with a passing interest in global sport.

Some very important issues highlighted which must be addressed by those with power.
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10/10
Opens your eyes
minshawsarah21 November 2020
Really hope this will open the eyes of everyone involved in world rugby. Amazed these countries don't get anywhere close to a fair price of tickets sales when they are what bring people in, it watch the best of the best play rugby. Keep up the good work and hopefully you'll have the world of rugby behind you to give everyone a fair share.
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10/10
A must watch for all rugby fans.
karlcarpenter21 November 2020
Love my rugby, but I never knew that this is how we treat the great island nations.
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10/10
Eye opening
maverickbud21 November 2020
Highlights the vast difference between tier 1 and tier 2/3 nations. A must watch. As an international rugby and premiership rugby fan I was shocked by the corruption and ignorance in our game.
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