Come along to the Old School this Saturday evening, 24 July, to enjoy a feast of eight short films showcasing recent Maori film making. Festival Director Leo Koziol says that his team are looking forward very much to coming to Raglan, sharing some garte filsm and to meeting people in the community.
The films, the longest of which is 15 minutes, have a common theme of identity in Aotearoa New Zealand. From dispossessed Maori and Polynesian youth in South Auckland today (Brother Smashproof), to a group of Kahungunu women in 1890’s struggling to preserve their rights and values (Uru), the characters explore and discover who they are.
Six Dollar Fifty Man, set in 1970’s New Zealand follows the story of an eight year old boy dealing with playground bullies In The White Tiger, by Boy’s Director Taika Waititi, an urban warrior returns to his tribal homeland to search for identity. The award winning film Warbrick tells of the captain of New Zealand Natives rugby team who, in 1889, had to inspire his worn out side to play or risk forfeiting the test match against England.
See full programme below. The festival starts at 7 pm with a Wharatai to welcome guests. There will be a cash bar and delicious snacks on sale during the breaks, The screening lasts approximately 3 hours. Tickets Adults $10, Children $5, on the door.
Full programme for the night is:
- BROTHER SMASHPROOF // 2009 NZ 5 mins Director Chris Graham. Maori and Polynesian group Smashproof profile tragedy and struggle in Auckland.
- SIX DOLLAR FIFTY MAN // 2010 NZ 15 mins Directors Mark Albiston & Louis Sutherland. Set in 1970s New Zealand, The Six Dollar Fifty Man follows Andy, a gutsy 8 year-old boy who is forced to break out of his make-believe superhero world to deal with playground bullies.
- LILY AND RA // 2009 NZ 8 mins Director Armagan Ballantyne. The injury and nursing back to health of a small bird is a metaphor for Ra’s fractured home life. Film produced by ART for The World under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Script by Briar Grace-Smith.
- URU // 2010 NZ 16 mins Director Hiona Henare. URU is the story of a young dispirited Maori woman finding her identity. Based on the true story of a group of Kahungunu women struggling for the rights of Maori Women and Maori values in New Zealand during the 1890’s. Actors: Noa Campbell, Shannon Claire.
- MOKOPUNA // 2009 NZ 12 min Director/Writer Ainsley Gardiner. Mary is a part Maori girl, living in middle class suburban New Zealand.
- KEHUA // 2009 NZ 13 min Director/Writer Wiremu Grace. On returning to his home for the first time, a boy discovers he has a gift for seeing spirits – but he must gather his strength to understand their messages.
- THE WHITE TIGER // 2009 NZ 8 mins Director Taika Waititi (Te Whanau-a-Apanui). An urban warrior returns to his tribal homeland in a quest for his cultural identity.
- WARBRICK // 2009 NZ 15 min Director Meihana & Pere Durie. One man’s legacy, one nation’s legend. London, 1889. The captain of the worn-out New Zealand Natives rugby team must inspire his side to play, or risk forfeiting the test match against England. 2009 Wairoa Maori Film Festival Aotearoa Short Film Audience Award.
Enquiries to Old School Arts Centre. Ph 825 0023, Email info@raglanartscentre.co.nz
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