索洛是新西兰萨摩亚殖民地土著法院的一名年轻的萨摩亚语翻译，总是为自己的本族人员着想，因此在翻译过程中有时会撒谎。然而，被控非法侵入的高级长官努阿却可以听说英语。后来，索洛、努阿和固执的老法官之间的就殖民统治一事发生了激烈的争执。更糟糕的是，努阿原先被囚禁的孙子也出庭，但在枪口的逼迫下，努阿把他们送走了。老法官受到努阿的挑战，异常暴怒，声称他们是野蛮人，是低于白人的劣等人。索洛最终承认自己只是一枚棋子罢了。索洛站了出来，力挺努阿，“（他）从未侵犯过我们自己的土地”。努阿对非法侵入的指控不认罪，她说只是想要按照传统把丈夫埋葬在他们的土地上，虽然她知道她的子女将一直孤独下去。法官怒火中烧，她命令将努阿轰走，就像驱赶一条丧家之犬一样。愤懑的索洛临走之前用萨摩亚语留下了最后一句话：“如果你有权威之链，就要负责任地佩戴，否则它就会枯萎。”一到外面，努阿的孙子们就从灌木丛中冲了出来。索洛把他们抱在怀里，回头望着努阿，尽管她被捆绑着——在她的心中她是自由的。

Solo, a young Samoan interpreter for a Native Court in Colonial, New Zealand Samoa, does what he thinks is best for his people and at times lies as he translates. However, High Chief Nua who's charged with trespass, understands and speaks English. What follows is a tirade of verbal punches between Solo, Nua, and an old Judge hell-bent on Colonial rule. To make matters worse, Nua's stranded grandchildren turn up, but forced at gunpoint Nua sends them away. Challenged by Nua, the Judge explodes, declaring them savages, and inferior to whites. Solo finally accepts he is simply a pawn. Taking a stand now, Solo joins Nua having, "Never trespassed on our own land”. Nua pleads not guilty to the charge of trespass, merely attempting to bury her husband on their land as is tradition, but knowing her children are still alone. Seething, the Judge orders Nua to be thrown out like a dog. Disgusted, Solo leaves with a final word in Samoan, "If you're given a necklace of authority, wear it responsibly or it withers away". Once outside, Nua's grandchildren reveal themselves from the bushes. Solo takes them in his arms, looks back at Nua, although tied up – in her heart she’s free.