The canoe voyage that redefined adventure and inspired a nation
WELCOME
SAILAU Is a documentary film and social impact campaign based on the 2016-17 voyage: The World’s First Circumnavigation of the Island of New Guinea in a Traditional Sailing Canoe.
Awards – Grand Prize – International Maritime Film Festival 2023 – Nordic Film of the Year – Nordic Adventure Film Festival 2023 – Best Sailing Film – Travel Beyond Film Festival 2024
The record-setting crew that captured the hearts of the nation are back.
The highly anticipated documentary SAILAU is set to premiere in Papua New Guinea at the National Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau 2 November 2024.
Featuring Milne Bay master sailors – Sanakoli John, Justin John, Job Siyae – and Danish adventurer Thor F. Jensen, the film follows the world’s first circumnavigation of the island of New Guinea island in a traditional sailing canoe.
The documentary sets sail from Tawali Resort and follows the expedition all the way around PNG and West Papua (Indonesia).
The film had its world premiere at the DocEdge Festival in New Zealand and has already won prizes internationally – including the Maritime Film of the Year 2024 and Nordic Adventure Film of the Year 2024.
Sanakoli John expresses, “I have travelled to Canada, Germany and United Kingdom, everyone wants to hear the story of our circumnavigation and learn about PNG traditional culture. I have so much joy in my heart that now our brothers and sisters can finally watch our film.”
Thor elaborates, “This is a film for PNG, we want to find partners to share the film far and wide and hope to find the funding to screen the film in other parts of the country as well.”
The production team are offering corporate sponsorship packages and exclusive screenings of SAILAU.
Audiences in Sydney, Canberra and PNG will now be able to watch the exhilarating voyage of the Tawali Pasana and her daring crew. We are so excited to be part of this well renowned festival with so many amazing stories from all over the Pacific. Tickets for the Sydney screening can be found here Dates: …
PRESS RELEASE: SAILAU is coming home The record-setting crew that captured the hearts of the nation are back. The highly anticipated documentary SAILAU is set to premiere in Papua New Guinea at the National Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau 2 November 2024. Featuring Milne Bay master sailors – Sanakoli John, Justin John, Job Siyae …
SAILAU premiered in a sold out cinema at Nordic Adventure Film Festival on the 1st December 2023 in Copenhagen. Here are some of the comments from the audience after the film. “A film made with love and respect“,” I wanna go to PNG“, “Insane adventure!” SAILAU was awarded Best Nordic Film 2023 by the judges …
This documentary seeks to inspire young Papua New Guineans to value their traditional knowledge and the campaign activities will be used for educational programs in schools across the Pacific.
Internationally, we aim to challenge outdated colonial stereotypes of the Pacific by telling a contemporary and positive story from the second largest island in the world.
Both old and young were inspired by the voyage.
Papua New Guinea is one of the youngest populations in the world. 67% of the population being under the age of 35.
Role model for the next generation: Master Sailor Sanakoli John sharing his traditional knowledge with school children in Port Moresby.
The Sailau canoe was decorated with traditional designs by locals along the way.
So far, an expedition book has been published titled Salt Water and Spear Tips, Pegasus Publishers UK 2020.
Master Sailors Sanakoli and Justin John has established Papua New Guineas first traditional canoe building school, Pasana Group.
STORY
SAILAU Trailer
Synopsis
Danish filmmaker Thor F. Jensen, under the apprenticeship of three Papua New Guinean master sailors, Justin John, Sanakoli John and Job Siyae, sets off from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, on the 30th of August 2016 on a world-first circumnavigation of the island of New Guinea in a traditional sailau (sailing canoe) called the Tawali Pasana.
While Thor wants to tell a contemporary story of the island, the sailors wish to inspire new generations of sailors, but the team soon realise that the journey is much more difficult than first anticipated. Thor is forced to rethink his position on the canoe and the sailors have to adapt their traditional skills as they face the deadly North West Monsoon.
Over the course of 13 months and 21 days and 6300 km – dodging trecherous reefs, witchcraft and crocodiles – the fellowship of the Tawali Pasana captures the imagination of the island. But to reach the finish line they must all make sacrifices.
PARTNERS
During this world-first circumnavigation, we established several partnerships with organizations in Papua New Guinea that will inform project development and social campaigns.
We have established connections with the PNG Tourism Authority, Pacific Maritime Training College, the Massim Museum and the Kenu and Kundu Festival Association who can provide guidance and local context. In terms of financial and in-kind resources, we have sponsorship arrangements with Vanimo Surf Lodge and Tawali Leisure and Dive Resort.
We have already received support from the PNG Ambassador to Europe and the Danish Embassy in Jakarta, which may be used to promote the film to diverse audiences. The sailors and their communities in Milne Bay will be central advisors throughout the process.
Do you want to become a partner? Contact us at: info@thordox.dk to receive a project brief.
You can also stay updated through our newsletter here.
Papua New Guineas Ambassador to the European Union Joshua R. Kalinoe and Thor F. Jensen at the book launch of Salt Water and Spear Tips.
Sponsor: Pacific Maritime Training College. Founder, Captain Virgil Toanchina.
Sponsor: Royal Papua Yacht Club (RPYC) hosted the crew in Port Moresby. From left: Ms Okaro Yogi President of Konedobu Kanu Klab, RPYC Manager Aaron Batts and General Manager Ella Kasu.
Sponsor: Consort Shipping, the whole team welcomed the crew in Port Moresby.
Indonesia Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Ibu Susi Pudjiastuti.
Denmarks Ambassador to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor-Leste and ASEAN, Hon. Rasmus Abildgaard.
CREW
Justin JohnSailor
Renowned Canoe builder and spear-fisher. Lives on Dawson Island with his wife and six children.
Sanakoli JohnSailor
Expert fisherman and tourist guide. Lives in Nuakata isl. With his wife and four children.
Job SiyaeSailor
Know for his solo canoe journeys and food donations to the health centre. Lives on Normanby Isl. with wife and four children.
Thor F. JensenDirector
Award winning filmmaker and member of the Adventurers’ Club of Denmark. Lives in Alice Springs, Australia.
PRODUCTION
Director Thor F. Jensen Producer Dr Sophie Pascoe Sailor Justin John Sailor and production advisor Sanakoli John Sailor Job Siyae Drone footage by Paul Kerrison Drone and film photography Robert Weber Map graphics Sam Moore Editor Oskar Fanta Sound design Rob Davidsson Score SÍmun Mohr Colorist Nanna Dalunde Promotion Kevin Alo from M&K Talents
