Moana 2 has been showing in theaters across the country over the last couple weeks, but no screening of the new Disney film has been quite like the one that took place on Dec. 2 at AMC Tysons Corner 16 in Virginia.
"It was very special. Any time we get the opportunity to work with people from Hawai'i, to see them, especially all the way out here so far away from home means a lot to me," said Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota. "It's always about the community and to be able to share even just a movie like that, it's time we get to spend together and to build relationships."
Ahead of the bye week, Mariota and his wife Kiyomi, quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and his wife Caroline along with the Luvus hosted members of the DMV's Pacific Islander community for a private screening of Moana 2. The event, which included Moana merch as well as Commanders giveaways, meet-and-greet opportunities and more, was a unique and fun chance to celebrate and connect around Polynesian culture.
What ended up being an event with 215 attendees started as casual conversation around the Commanders facilities. Pritchard and Mariota, who are both Polynesian dads with young kids, began "kicking around the idea of doing something fun with Moana."
"We're extremely community-oriented and family-oriented, and I think another dynamic at play is that we also know we're the few, the proud -- small islands, not that many people," Pritchard said. "I think finding our communities especially when we're away from home and plugging in to them is important. That was at the forefront as we started having these conversations, trying to connect to that."
The idea then "took on a life of its own" Pritchard said. Frankie Luvu, who is from American Samoa, was in. The wives got to planning. Brianna Smith, the Commanders' coordinator of team support and community impact, tapped in to help, working to invite staff, students and families from Arlington's Hawaiian culture school Halau O'Aulani as well as members from the Hawaii State Society of Washington D.C. Soon enough, this first-of-its-kind event all came together.
The good times last Monday weren't just limited to the movie itself. Every guest was treated to drinks and popcorn. Disney donated Moana merchandise, including notebooks, pens, posters and bags, for the youth in attendance. Kids also were given Commanders goodie bags with hats and water bottles. Before the movie began, dance students from Halau O'Aulani, a school dedicated to teaching and perpetuating the cultures, traditions and values of the People of Hawai'i, did a special performance of a traditional dance.
"I thought that was really, really cool," Mariota said. "It's just cool to see culturally that they're trying make sure that, through the community, they can continue to pay homage to where we're from."
Meet-and-greets were also a favorite part of the day. Although the enthusiasm wasn't just about hanging out with a couple of Commanders players. The screening also featured an appearance from "Moana" herself, played by Pritchard's sister, Sina.
"It was funny because Marcus and Frankie, along with the screening, were obviously the stars of the show. People were there to take pictures with them and get autographs, but I would venture to say that a large percentage of the kids were as, if not more, excited to be there getting pictures with her," Pritchard said.
Being in a room together, forging new bonds and sharing the experience of watching this Polynesian-focused movie as a group provided memories and underscored lessons that every attendee won't soon forget.
"I think everyone coming together and being all about it just highlights so many of the beautiful things about our culture and again just to celebrate that representation on the screen I think was really cool," Pritchard said. "I love it for my kids to not just see that movie and that representation but to see that community come together. They all of a sudden get to realize, 'We may be on the East Coast, a long way aways from the Pacific Ocean' but our community is strong throughout.'"
