15 Jan 2019

Vanuatu village mourns Tanna star Mungau Dain

2:12 pm on 15 January 2019

A traditional two-week mourning period is being observed in the Vanuatu village of Yakel following the death of movie star Mungau Dain earlier this month.

A man and a woman in tradional Ni-Vanuatu clothing sit on a rock in a river

Marie Wawa and Mungau Dain in the film Tanna. Photo: Supplied

Mr Mungau died in Port Vila on January 5 after developing an infection in a leg wound that wasn't treated.

The Associated Press reports Mr Mungau, in his mid-20s, earned a role in the Oscar-nominated film Tanna, because his elders decided he was the best-looking guy in Yakel.

Tanna co-director Martin Butler said Mr Mungau was enthusiastic, learned quickly, and ended up giving a fabulous performance.

The movie won a number of awards, including two at the Venice Film Festival.

He is survived by his wife and two children.