In the heart of the Pacific Ocean lies Rapa Nui, widely known as Easter Island, a place renowned for its enigmatic Moai statues. But beyond the allure of its ancient relics is a thriving modern-day community whose stories rarely reach the global stage. Enter Sergio Rapu, a native of Rapa Nui, whose passion for storytelling has brought the realities of his island home into the spotlight and inspired audiences worldwide.
“The Rapanui are alive,” Sergio passionately shared in his conversation on the Riveo Impact Lab podcast. “Our ancestors are the carvers of those statues. And those statues have a very particular purpose or meaning within our culture.” His 2018 documentary Eating Up Easter brings this truth to life. Through the lens of four islanders, the film navigates the challenges of modernization, mass tourism, and cultural preservation. It’s a story of resilience, transformation, and impact—one Sergio was uniquely positioned to tell.
“The Rapanui are alive. Our ancestors are the carvers of those statues. And those statues have a very particular purpose or meaning within our culture.”
Filmmaking as an Emotional Medium
Sergio’s journey into filmmaking began as a kid in Hawaii, where he first encountered the magic of cameras. Reflecting on those early days, he shared how a program in fourth grade gave him the access to work with video cameras and the tools to create stories which sparked something in him. Later, his education at Loyola Marymount University deepened his technical skills and passion for the craft.
But it wasn’t just about technical mastery; Sergio saw filmmaking as a powerful emotional medium. “What video and film is really good for is to hook, that emotional element” he explained. “Hooking your audience to your characters and sort of building that relationship, in a way that, you know, some of these other mediums can’t or do it differently.” This belief became the foundation of his career and shaped his approach to storytelling in Eating Up Easter.
“What video and film is really good for is to hook, that emotional element. Hooking your audience to your characters and sort of building that relationship, in a way that, you know, some of these other mediums can’t or do it differently.”
A Film That Opens Eyes and Minds
The documentary’s title, Eating Up Easter, is a metaphor for the island’s struggle with food dependency and the broader effects of globalization. Sergio pointed out the stark reminder of how disconnected island communities are from self-sustainability, “Rapa Nui imports 90% of all of the food that we eat on the island. And this isn’t very different to other islands in the Pacific.”
As filming progressed, the narrative expanded to cover broader themes, such as the environmental impact of tourism and the tension between modernization and cultural preservation. Sergio and his team followed their subjects over several years, capturing the evolving story of their community.
The impact of the film was profound. In addition to receiving accolades at film festivals worldwide and being broadcast by PBS’s Independent Lens, the documentary became a tool for education. Sergio noted, “A recent cruise ship called the Peace Boat that travels from Japan across the Pacific and lands on Rapa Nui, played it for their 300-plus passengers. So then all of a sudden, instead of arriving, right, completely with this other idea of what they were coming to, they arrived with that knowledge and that understanding of like, this is where I’m going, and this is the impact that I’m going to have as a tourist, and this is how I can minimize that or change that by my behaviors that I take, but the critical part is always sort of shifting that mindset.”
“So then all of a sudden, instead of arriving, right, completely with this other idea of what they were coming to, they arrived with that knowledge and that understanding of like, this is where I’m going, and this is the impact that I’m going to have as a tourist.”
A Broader Vision of Impact
For Sergio, impact goes beyond audience engagement. It’s about creating real change. “The first change that we always look for in impact, or at least I look for, is a change in understanding or a change in perception,” he said. “What did they think about the world before they watched my movie? What do they think about the world after they watch my movie? And whatever that shift is, that’s like the most minuscule, but in many ways, like also the most critical part of impact.”
This philosophy shapes not only his work as a filmmaker but also his role as a mentor to emerging storytellers. Recognizing when he’s the right person to tell a story—and when he’s not—is a principle Sergio takes seriously. “I just used to be like, what story do we tell? How do we tell it? And I think the other sort of big question that we all ask ourselves is, are we the right people to be telling this story?” Sergio continued by explaining how you can assist on a project you are passionate about without taking the lead, “Filmmaking is such a team sport that there are so many different ways you could be an ally.”
“Filmmaking is such a team sport that there are so many different ways you could be an ally.”
Lessons in Resilience and Collaboration
Sergio’s work exemplifies the power of resilience, collaboration, and emotional storytelling. Whether exploring the challenges of his own community or supporting others in telling their stories, he demonstrates how filmmaking can be a catalyst for change.
As he reflected on his journey, Sergio emphasized the importance of vulnerability and learning through mistakes. “We have to make mistakes in order to learn. Making mistakes is a part of life, just as is conflict.” he explained. “Coming back to the emotions of being in conflict with somebody else or making a mistake. We don’t want to do that because it doesn’t feel good. But it’s a natural part of being humans. We have to have that feeling and then we can move on with it. And so I think, you know, if there’s anything that I hope people take away from this is the importance of making mistakes.”
“We have to make mistakes in order to learn. Making mistakes is a part of life, just as is conflict.”
Learn More About Sergio’s Work
Sergio’s conversation on the Riveo Impact Lab podcast dives deeper into the making of Eating Up Easter, his philosophy on storytelling, and his hopes for the future of filmmaking. To learn more about his transformative journey and explore his work, visit Mara Films.
In a world hungry for connection and understanding, Sergio’s work reminds us that storytelling isn’t just entertainment—it’s a bridge to empathy, action, and change.
