Maori short-film makers screen at Takitimu Festival

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, September 12, 2011

Maori short-film makers screen at Takitimu Festival

This week’s Takitimu Festival in Hastings will showcase a series of short films showing the talent Maori have when it comes to acting, directing and production of movies.

The collection of 17 short films will screen at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House foyer on Friday and Saturday.

All of the films featured at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival in June and the event’s director, Wairoa’s Leo Koziol, is presenting the collection at the Takitimu Festival

The films will be presented in four sections, Mana Wahine (women film makers); Rangatahi (teenage); Tamariki (children) and a Takitimu section which will feature films starring Hawke’s Bay actors or ones made in the Bay.

It includes Takau Rakau E, (15 minutes) which was directed by Kararaina Rangihau, produced by Merata Mita and in Te Reo Maori. It was filmed around Lake Waikaremoana, northern Hawke’s Bay, and tells the story of a song written by Tuhoe composer Mihikitekapua in 1873 when she was over 100 years old.

Day Trip (10 minutes) by Zoe McIntosh was filmed in Wellington and features former mob leader Tuhoe Issac. The story is about how the public reacts to a gang member who decides to take a day off gang life.

The acclaimed Six Dollar Fifty Man (15 minutes) by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland, which has featured or one awards at over 30 shows, will also screen at the Takitimu Festival.

Koro’s Medal (15 minutes) by James Barr, written by Simon Paniora, tells the story of a boy called Billy who loses his grandfather’s precious war medal.

Actor Tammy Davis, better known as “Munter” from the television show Outrageous Fortune, turns his hand to directing for the film Ebony Society (13 minutes). The story is about two friends who set out to make a quick dollar and find themselves in an unexpected sitution after they break into a house.

Leo Koziol says he hopes the short films will highlight the quality of work Maori film makers and story tellers are producing and it will encourage more organisations to support their work.

“ I’ve been to the Takitimu Festival once before, there’s a lot happening there and I hope these films will add to the event.”

The short-films:

Section: Mana Wahine (women film makers)

Uru, by Hiona Henare (Kahungunu Wahine hui).

Taku Rakau E, by Kararaina Rangihau (Waikaremoana).

Lily and Ra, by Armagan Ballantyne and Briar Grace Smith.

Mokopuna, by Ainsley Gardiner.

Section: Rangatahi (teenage)

See What Love Can Do, by Bellamy Kalolo (Matariki).

The First Stage Is Disbelief, by Nathaniel Hinde.

Dead Creek, Australian-based Maori director Benjamin Southwell, produced by Julian White.

ZERO by Leo Woodhead.

Brother, a music video for Smashproof by Chris Graham.

Section: Tamariki (children)

Six Dollar Fifty Man, by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland.

Poi E, remix for the movie Boy.

*Ebony Society, by Tammy Davis (Munter from television show Outrageous Fortune).

*Koro’s Medal, by James Barr.

* TBC

Section: Takitimu (films with a Hawke’s Bay connection)

Memories of Moko, by Ben Cowper.

Taku Rakau E, by Kararaina Rangihau.

The Winter Boy, by Rachel House.

Day Trip, by Zoe McIntosh starring Tuhoe Issac.

ends

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