A controversial documentary about All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu is set to premiere in the United Kingdom, with filmmakers telling British media the project will reveal previously hidden struggles in the life of the global superstar.
The documentary Lomu, co-directed by New Zealander Vea Mafile’o and Irish filmmaker Gavin Fitzgerald, had been years in the making and promised to explore both the greatness and the vulnerabilities of the late winger, who died in 2015.
For years, the project was effectively on pause due to a trademark battle over control of Lomu's name and image.
The dispute pitted Lomu’s widow, Nadene Lomu, against the executor of his estate, lawyer Chris Darlow — the man Lomu appointed to oversee his business interests before his death in 2015.
A tribunal ultimately ruled Nadene Lomu did not own exclusive rights to his image, clearing the way for Darlow to approve the documentary as an official project.
The New Zealand Film Commission pledged $800,000 in funding to the documentary.
Fitzgerald told the Daily Mail he grew up idolising Lomu but discovered a far more complex figure while making the documentary.
"I was very young watching the ’95 World Cup. That was my first memory of sport. There was so much buzz around this guy and, as a young boy, you fantasised about being this person who was invincible, who people bounced off when they tried to tackle him. Jonah was just a superstar."
A teenage Lomu's arrival at the 1995 Rugby World Cup announced him as the sport's first genuine global icon — running through and over opposing players.
But, at the height of his dominance, Lomu was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder.
"Even his coaches had no idea he was carrying this very serious condition which inevitably would end up with him having a kidney transplant. You’d think he might mention it, but, no, he kept it to himself and got on with it," Fitzgerald said.
"‘It was the dawn of professional rugby. It was going to go professional soon, but Jonah’s presence undoubtedly accelerated that."
Lomu starred again at the 1999 World Cup despite his illness, before his health rapidly deteriorated in the early 2000s.
The documentary also explored Lomu's upbringing in a Tongan family, including being sent to live with relatives in Tonga as a baby,
An understanding of Tongan culture was key to understanding Lomu, Fitzgerald said.
"First of all, Tonga truly is a village. It still operates like that. It’s all about the group. In Tonga, it’s a very common thing if somebody in the family doesn’t have kids that they might be gifted a child to raise — in order to spread the workload essentially. But, of course, Jonah’s parents had emigrated. They are first-generation immigrants to New Zealand, so that’s an extra layer of complexity.
"Jonah had very rich memories of Tonga, his childhood. Food is plentiful, you live off the land and run wild. Then, to be brought back to New Zealand, suddenly realising his 'parents' weren’t his parents and living in a completely different environment… you can’t ignore that initial trauma."
Rugby was also key to who he was. Even when he started needing dialysis in 2003, Lomu would continue to play, receiving treatment in Auckland in the morning before catching a flight to Wellington to train, and then returning home for dialysis again.
Fitzgerald told the Daily Mail it was "kind of delusional" in hindsight, but reflected Lomu’s dedication and identity.
"I think it gave him a sense of belonging. Maybe it’s where he could escape the stresses of life which seemed to get more and more complicated as he got older. It just did something for him, personally. He loved the game. He really stayed true to it until the end."
Lomu died in 2015 aged just 40, prompting an outpouring of grief in New Zealand and around the world, including from Queen Elizabeth II. His public memorial at Eden Park drew thousands.
Fitzgerald, who has made several documentaries, said it was refreshing to work on a project about someone who he "loved more" by the end of production.
"Not having him around has complications, but it’s a lot more interesting because people are really ready to tell the truth about him." Despite fame, he said Lomu remained "humble, respectful and pleasant — a big friendly giant until the end."
Lomu will have its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on February 27. No New Zealand premiere date has been set.
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