NZ film maker Taika Waititi has cast fa’afafine actor Kaimana Po’u Soliai to portray Jaiyah Saelua in his upcoming football film Next Goal Wins, according to Variety.
The film is based on a 2014 documentary about the American Samoan football team trying to transform from perennial losers into a FIFA World Cup-qualifying outfit.
Saelua was the first transgender player to compete in a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Kaimana being cast in the film is being celebrated online.
“This is a HUGE deal for non-binary transgender representation since there are so few explicitly acknowledged examples of non-binary on-screen representation,” writes Leigh Monson for Birth Movies Death.
“We get to see a non-binary person portray a non-binary character, raising awareness of the gender diversity that exists beyond men and women. Even if you’re cisgender or binary transgender, that is a cause of excitement.”
Kaimana is making their acting debut in Next Goal Wins alongside acclaimed international actors Elisabeth Moss and Michael Fassbender.
The supporting cast includes Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu and Rachel House.
