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WARU

By Briar GRACE-SMITH, Ainsley GARDINER, Renae MAIHI, Casey KAA, Awanui SIMICH-PENE, Chelsea COHEN, Katie WOLFE, Paula JONES

DAY FOR NIGHT - as DISTR Theatrical, UNITED KINGDOM

Drama - Completed 2017

Festivals
& Awards

Toronto - TIFF 2017

Discovery

- Year of production
- 2017
- Genres
- Drama, Social issues
- Countries
- NEW ZEALAND
- Languages
- ENGLISH, MAORI
- Duration
- 86 mn
- Director(s)
- Briar GRACE-SMITH, Ainsley GARDINER, Renae MAIHI, Casey KAA, Awanui SIMICH-PENE, Chelsea COHEN, Katie WOLFE, Paula JONES
- Synopsis
- 8 x 10 minute sequences shot by eight individual female Maori filmmakers combine to form a narrative that weaves around the death of a young boy in a Māori community.
  
  Eight female Māori directors worked together to produce this portmanteau film which offers a fascinating insight into Māori culture. The film comprises 8 x 10 minute segments, presented as a continuous shot in real time, unfolding around the funeral of a small boy who died at the hands of his caregiver. Waru means 8 in Māori. The vignettes are all subtly interlinked, each following one of eight female Māori lead characters as they come to terms with Waru’s death and try to find a way forward in their community.
  
  Charm, Queen of the Kitchen – Charm learns to accept that she can’t change the world.
  
  Anahera – A teacher struggles to keep face, hiding infidelities and guilt over Waru’s death.
  
  Mihi – A solo parent learns to listen to her children.
  
  Em – A young woman hits rock bottom and realises that the only way is up.
  
  Ranui – A kuia relinquishes Iwi pride in order that her mokopuna might find spiritual peace.
  
  Kiritapu – A young wahine Māori reporter risks everything to set the story straight.
  
  Mere – A teenage girl draws strength from her ancestors to expose her abuser.
  
  Titty & Bash – A woman risks life to break the cycle of violence.

WARU

Festivals& Awards

Festivals
& Awards