Velvet Dreams (Sima Urale, 1998)

“A homage to Dusky Maiden images as well as a playful take on the low art of velvet painting, Sima Urale’s Velvet Dreams provides a tongue-in-cheek exploration of Pacific Island stereotypes. Part detective story, part documentary, an unseen narrator goes in search of a painting of a Polynesian princess that he has fallen in love with. Along the way he meets artists, fans and critics of the kitsch art genre, as well as the mysterious Gauguin-like figure of Charlie McPhee.”

Watch Velvet Dreams here: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/velvet-dreams-1997
*Note there are five parts.*

Keywords: Pacific Islander, documentary, people of color, television