Maori Film Festival Being Held During Matariki
New Zealand stories told by New Zealand filmmakers have a special quality, but even more special are local stories told by filmmakers who are Maori, says producer Hiona Henare.
She is bringing the 2009 Nua Film Festival to Levin in mid-July thanks in part to a Creative Communities Grant administered by the Horowhenua District Council.
The festival involves about 12 movies, most of which have already screened several times in international film festivals.
“Maori cinema just gets better and better each year,” Hiona says. “English is the main language spoken in these films, however, in terms of Maori content, there is no shortage of tikanga, kaupapa, mana and wairua.”
Hiona has been supported by the Muaupoko Tribal Authority, which enabled her to produce this Maori Film Festival in Horowhenua during Matariki, the Maori New Year.
“Steve Hirini (Chief Executive of Muaupoko Tribal Authority) has been incredibly supportive and there’s no way I would or could have produced this festival without the support, consent and watchful guidance of my iwi,” she says.
The line-up includes a collection of short films rich with drama, passion and tension – the perfect ingredients for a good movie. The first day sees the screening of local film Kingi Story, directed by Mike Walker and starring Mitchell Manuel.
Watch out for Two Cars One Night, by Taika Waititi. This short film was nominated for an Oscar award.
The Graffiti of Mr Tupaia, directed by Christopher Dudman, stars Rawiri Paratene in the story of a Cook Islands school cleaner who answers an unusual graffiti message, changing his and the author’s life forever.
A quirky little film set in Taranaki, Aphrodite Farm, directed by Adam Strange, is about the locals wanting to know the secret behind magical milk produced by the farm. The family secret has remained safe for four generations, but when the patriarch dies, the farm is thrown into jeopardy.
A Vincent Ward-directed film, Rain of the Children, is also in the line-up.
Hiona says a controversial documentary, Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere, directed by Simon Marler, will be an important film to watch. It tells the story of the polluted lake that was once considered the great food basket of Nga Puhi. The screening will be followed by a light lunch and discussion on the state of Lake Horowhenua.
In line with the festival concept of sharing, tickets have been kept to an affordable price of $5 per session, except the screening of the Omapere documentary on Saturday, which will cost $10 including the lunch.
The festival is hosted by Cinema 3 from Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 July 2009. The programme is available online at www.levincinema3.co.nz or www.muaupoko.iwi.nz and in stores around Levin from Wednesday 10 June 2009.
Journey to Ihipa, directed by Nancy Brunning.