Family, friends and fans celebrate Johan Lomu’s untold story at emotional NZ documentary premiere

Family, friends and fans of rugby icon Jonah Lomu filled Auckland’s civic theatre on Saturday for the New Zealand premiere of a documentary about his life.

‘Lomu’ tells his story through the eyes of his family, childhood friends and closest colleagues. With never seen before home videos, it also offers insight into who the legendary All Black was off the field, behind closed doors.

Hundreds in attendance at the documentary’s premiere , which was part of the New Zealand International Film Festival, were left with tears and hearts full of pride.

“I felt so inspired, and to see his faith that he didn’t give up regardless of his situation. I thought that was very admirable … and as a Tongan, I’m so proud, and I’m so proud for Jonah to be celebrated in this way,” one attendee at the premiere said.

Another member of the audience added that the film was done “very, very tastefully”.

“It’s nice to see our people being preserved in a really good way, but also being promoted so that the world gets to see our culture.”

“It’s a really heartfelt documentary, and I’m glad that we’re here to see Jonah Lomu in its true self,” said a third viewer.

“It just felt so special to be here tonight, surrounded by people who obviously love Jonah.”

Jonah Lomu’s younger brother John Lomu was moved by the overwhelming support at both New Zealand and Tonga’s premiere.

He said the family has dreamed of sharing Jonah’s life story like this.

“Basically, telling the story from our own family’s perspective, because from the beginning it was never ours to keep, but also share with everybody else.”

The family had VHS tapes sitting and ageing and they did not want the memories captured within to be lost to time.

John said this documentary gave them a way to save the footage.

“We have a lot of footage with the family in that … so for us as a family it was quite good because it allowed us to digitise them and try and save it for the family and the rest of the family etc.”

Kevin Mealamu played alongside Jonah Lomu for the All Blacks. He believes the documentary will help aspiring All Blacks understand the man behind the rugby legend.

“It’s awesome that we get to celebrate him,” Mealamu told RNZ Pacific.

“I think for a lot of our younger generation, they might know, but [on Saturday they got to see] a little bit more of who he was. So it’s just great to be able to share that story.”

He said having the stories of Pacific sporting greats captured and shared in media can inspire generations, just as Lomu inspired him.

“The first time I became an All Black, I was [named] on the side that he was in as well. And I can just remember going from playing Jonah Lomu on the PlayStation through to playing alongside him.

“So, we always encourage our young people to keep aspiring to be what what you want to be, and when you put in the hard work and the dedication, those things can be possible.”

The premiere event also featured a cultural performance by students from Wesley College, where Lomu attended and first made his mark on the rugby field.

For the college’s director of rugby Lesley Vanikolo, it was an honour to be a part of the show, and for his students to learn about Lomu’s legacy.

“It’s important for the generation now to see what does hard work mean,” Vanikolo said.

“Our motto is hard work by learning and by faith. So for an icon, Lomu showed that and he left a legacy. And hopefully this generation coming through, they’ll make it bigger and leave their own legacy as well.”

For John Lomu, he hopes viewers leave theatres believing in themselves the way his brother grew to do.

“You can make your dreams come true. Nothing is impossible if you put yourself forward and just go out and go for it.”

‘Lomu’ directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald will be released on Father’s Day weekend.