John Frum, He Will Come

SPECIAL SCREENING OF DOCUMENTARY "JOHN FRUM, HE WILL COME"
TO BENEFIT VANUATU RELIEF EFFORTS

All Funds Raised Will Help Rebuild the John Frum Villages in Tanna

BEVERLY HILLS - A special screening of documentary filmmaker Cevin Soling’s newest film, "John Frum, He Will Come," will be held on August 5 at the Laemmle’s Music Hall theatre in Beverly Hills to benefit the victims of the category 5 Cyclone Pam that devastated the island of Vanuatu in March of this year.

The screening will be on the evening of Wednesday, August 5th at 7:30 pm at the Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, located at 9036 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. There will be red carpet arrivals and Q&A with Soling following the showing of the film. Tickets are available online on the Laemmle website for $15.00.

The proceeds will be sent directly to Chief Isak Wan, who will use the funds to rebuild the John Frum Villages in Tanna, Vanuatu. These native Tannans revere America and promote the values of empathy and mutual respect. They are guided by the prophecies of a man named John Frum who appeared before many people shortly before World War II. These islanders believe he will return to Tanna one day to change the world.

The people of the tribe have attracted great interest from anthropologists, journalists, and tourists for their success in defending many of their traditions and customs, despite efforts of colonialists to force them to submit to missionaries. Their preservation of traditional customs, as well as their admiration of the United States, has led to the villagers being called a “cargo cult” in certain literature, but this is largely out of ignorance because there is nothing “cultish” about these people or the practices.

They show their appreciation for the United States for protecting Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) during World War II and for their efforts at helping protect their native customs. The people raise the American flag every day and host a big celebration on February 15th, the anniversary of the day America helped to free the leaders of the John Frum Movement.

During the eight years that writer-director Soling has worked on the documentary, he has formed strong ties with the villagers. His concern for their well-being has fueled his desire to host the screening in July.

“The destruction from Cyclone Pam has been devastating to the islands of Vanuatu,” he says. “The John Frum Villages desperately need food, tents, and relief aid. In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal and other world disasters, Vanuatu has nearly been forgotten.”

Assistance for Vanuatu had been coming in from the US, Australia, France, Germany, and other countries, but Sawia, a John Frum Village representative, recently told Soling that much more is needed and existing resources would be depleted in a few weeks.

For more information on the screening and contributing to the Vanuatu relief efforts, contact Deborah Gilels, LA Media Consultants at 818-758-6509 or email info@lamediaconsultants.net.