Mary Rauto
SUVA: David Seidler, a former journalist and speech writer to Fiji's first Prime Minister and late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, has scooped the award of a lifetime.
Yesterday, the former adviser to Ratu Mara won an Oscar for best scriptwriter in The King's Speech.
A former colleague and close friend, Matt Wilson, described the Oscar as a fitting accolade for a gifted person.
"That's fantastic," he said. "That's great news.
"I'm very happy that he won fame as one of the world's best screenwriters.
"He was a gifted writer with a lot of perspective and quickly developed an understanding of the complexities of Fiji's political situation.
"He had a keen mind."
The King's Speech, which received 12 Academy nominations, was based on the lengths King George IV of England would go through to overcome his stammer.
In accepting the award, Seidler, 73, who had a stammer as a child said, "I accept on behalf of all the stutterers throughout the world. We have a voice thanks to you, the Academy."
He beat writers of four other movies namely Another Year, The Fighter, Inception and The Kids Are All Right.
Wilson said Seidler spoke in a deliberate manner.
"I've seen the movie and it was a brilliant and very moving story," he said.
"He spoke in a very precise and deliberate manner, probably a way of overcoming his speech disabilities.
"You never would have known that he had a stutter."
Fond memories
Wilson shared fond memories of Seidler, saying the latter was recruited by Ratu Mara, who was then leader of the Alliance Party.
"The Alliance became very concerned about details of the constitutional negotiations being leaked to Len Usher and myself and ending up in The Fiji Times the next day so they decided they wouldn't speak to us," he said.
"We walked into a reception where all the Alliance politicians were present and it was very noticeable that they were giving us the cold shoulder.
"It was David, who sidled up to me and murmured in an embarrassed fashion that they weren't allowed to have any contact with us, however, the leaks continued."
Ratu Mara's daughter and now First Lady, Adi Koila Nailatikau, recalled Seidler's years in Fiji.
She said Seidler was recruited by Ratu Mara to write his speeches on pre and post independence.
"I would like to say on behalf of my family we are grateful, privileged and honoured to have been associated with him through my late father, the Turage na Tui Nayau," she said.
"We are proud and elated that he has won this award because he really deserved it.
"It goes to show that my father saw the great talent that David Seidler had and it's very rare for someone to write great speeches for one of Fiji's great leaders.
"He was able to articulate the issues that my father the late Tui Nayau wanted to express and if the Tui Nayau was here he would be so proud and elated," Adi Koila said.
The King's Speech also won best picture, best actor and best director awards. - The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch
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