‘LOMU’ Trailer Arrives Ahead Of Emotional Homecoming Screening In Tonga
The legend of Jonah Lomu is set to return to the big screen in spectacular fashion with the release of the official trailer for LOMU, a powerful new documentary exploring the life of the man who forever changed the game of rugby.
Directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald, LOMU promises to deliver an intimate portrait of one of the greatest sporting figures New Zealand has ever produced, tracing Lomu’s remarkable journey from the streets of South Auckland to becoming a global sporting phenomenon whose influence transcended rugby itself.
More than simply a sports documentary, LOMU seeks to explore the man behind the myth, examining the cultural significance, personal sacrifices and immense pressures faced by one of the world’s first truly global rugby superstars.
Watch the full trailer for LOMU below:
Ahead of its official release, the film will return home to Tonga for a special public screening at Teufaiva Rugby Stadium on July 29. The event will serve as a celebration of Lomu’s enduring legacy and his deep connection to the Kingdom of Tonga, whose values, culture and people played a profound role in shaping his identity.
For co-director Vea Mafile’o, bringing the film back to Tonga represents a deeply meaningful moment.
Drawing upon the Tongan proverb “Pikipiki hama ka tau vaevae manava,” Mafile’o explained that the screening reflects the idea of communities coming together, sharing strength and supporting one another through life’s challenges.
She also noted that the event embodies the generosity that defined Lomu throughout his life.
“Jonah was known as someone who always gave to people, to friends, to family, to community and to those around him,” said Mafile’o. “In many ways, this screening has become an extension of that same generosity.”
The free public screening is expected to be a landmark cultural event, made even more significant by the return of Lomu’s mother to Tonga for the occasion. Mafile’o expressed hope that the screening would become a moment of collective pride and celebration for Tongans both at home and across the Pacific.
LOMU looks set to offer audiences unprecedented access to the life of the rugby icon through intimate interviews with family members, friends, teammates and coaches, alongside extensive archival material and never-before-seen family footage.
The documentary explores not only Lomu’s extraordinary achievements on the field but also the personal cost of global fame. Beneath the powerful runs and iconic performances was a humble and deeply grounded man whose life was shaped by his Tongan heritage, Christian faith and the immense responsibility of representing both his people and his nation on the world stage.
For many rugby fans, Jonah Lomu was the player who changed the sport forever. His explosive performances at the 1995 Rugby World Cup transformed him into a global icon and inspired an entire generation of athletes throughout the Pacific and beyond.
Now, LOMU seeks to tell the complete story of that remarkable journey.
The documentary will premiere in Australia at the Sydney Film Festival on June 13 before making its Aotearoa premiere at Auckland’s Civic Theatre on August 1. LOMU will then arrive in cinemas across New Zealand and Australia this September.
Judging by its first trailer, this looks set to be far more than a sporting documentary. Instead, LOMU appears poised to become a moving celebration of identity, resilience, faith and the lasting legacy of one of rugby’s greatest sons.
Image: MadMan Films
