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  1. Movies
  2. Māori

Māori

1981
21m
Documentary
History

Status

Released

Release

1981

Runtime

21m

Storyline

"The hongi is a greeting of affection: aroma. 'Aroha': love or compassion, is the vine that binds the tribe."

This 1981 NFU film is a tour of the contemporary world of Aotearoa’s tangata whenua. It won headlines over claims that its portrayal of Māori had been sanitised for overseas viewers. Debate and a recut ensued. Writer Witi Ihimaera felt that mentions of contentious issues (Bastion Point, the land march) in his original script were ignored or elided in the final film, and withdrew from the project. He later told journalists that the controversy showed that educated members of minority groups were no longer prepared to let the majority interpret the minority view.

Score Distribution

Details

Status
Released
Runtime
21m
Jul 25, 1981
Languages
English
Maori
Director
Arthur Everard
Production
The National Film Unit
The National Film Unit
New Zealand National Film Unit
New Zealand National Film Unit
Production Countries
New Zealand
Official Website

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