Disney’s live-action Moana does more than recreate the beloved 2016 animated film. It deepens the franchise’s connection to Polynesian culture by bringing together performers, musicians, choreographers and cultural experts from across the Pacific to help ensure every aspect of the film feels authentic.
POC Culture spoke with stars Rena Owen (Granmma Tala), John Tui (Chief Tui) and Frankie Adams (Sina), as well as members of the film’s Cultural Trust, including Lead Consultant Dr. Grant Muāgututiʻa, Choreographer and Associate Producer Tiana Nonosina Liufau, and original songwriter Opetaia Foa’i, about what it meant to help bring Moana to life for a new generation.
Rena Owen Calls Moana a “Mountaintop Moment”
For Rena Owen, who portrays Gramma Tala with a powerful emotional depth, joining Moana represents one of the defining moments of her career.
“It doesn’t get any better. This is a mountaintop moment like no other mountaintop moment. I think for all of us, not just as actors, but for our heads of department, our crew, to have the honor to bring this,” Owen said.
On Disney+, there is a behind-the-scenes look at the film, which includes a moment when Owen first met Catherin Laga’aia, the new Moana, and became emotional. I had to ask Owen why that meeting impacted her so much.
“All I did was look at her, and she just looked at me, and we both went, ‘Oh!’ we got all gooey and hugged,” Owen recalled of that moment. “All I can say is use the word divinity. I think we’ve all been chosen for this moment in time to tell this incredibly important story and it’s a privilege and and an honor to be part of this of Moana live-action.”
Owen is a true trailblazer, having spent decades helping tell Polynesian stories. She reflected on how much representation has changed throughout her career.
“I didn’t grow up with that. I couldn’t be an actor when I left high school because I just didn’t have the role models….For us to be able to say to all our little brown children around the world, ‘You can be anything you want to be’…that’s a profound privilege for us,” Owen said.
Authenticity Was the Foundation of Moana
What makes the live-action adaptation special is seeing the Polynesian culture literally brought to life. In order to ensure that process honored the culture, Disney worked with a Cultural Trust, who infused the film with authenticity.
When I shared with choreographer and Associate Producer Tiana Nonosina Liufau that the musical number “Where You Are” was my favorite in the film, she responded with a big smile and said that she expected it would also be the favorite for members of her community.
“I think for a lot of people, especially from our community, parts of the world, that will be one of their most favorite. It’s because it’s so village-oriented…it’s a day in the life in the village and I think that’s why it hits,” Liufau said.
Dr. Grant Muāgututiʻa, who is a professor of linguistics and also worked on Moana 2, said that tremendous care was taken to ensure Polynesian audiences would recognize themselves on screen through the details.
“That scene of showing all the daily tasks and everything and not only showing them on the screen, but showing them in a respectful way, and so much care and attention went in behind the scenes to make sure people were sitting right, like doing all the different tasks properly, so that when our people watch it they’ll know, ‘Oh yeah, that’s how we do it. That is definitely how things go in the village,” Muāgututiʻa said.
Moana is for the Polynesian Community
Liufau, who helped to introduce the film at the world premiere in Los Angeles, shared that ultimately, the film is for the Polynesian community, and they have enjoyed seeing the various reactions.
“At the end of the day, I want our people and our ancestors to be proud. And if the world also is proud and they learn a couple things, then I think we did our job,” Liufau said.
Moana releases July 10, 2026 in theaters.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
