Maori Cinema and Taika Waititi

Maori Cinema & Taika Waititi

Maori History

Barry Barclay

• Maori people arrived in New Zealand on canoes in about 1300AD

• Lived in large groups called tribes or hapu/iwi

• Lived near waterways for fishing, built their pa (fortified settlements) on hillsides

• Oral culture – spoke the Maori language and did not read or write

• Had a very established/developed culture in terms of song, dance, oral history and traditional arts.

• War was common between tribes as they fought over resources. (Haka Dance)

Mixed Reception of Film

Whale Rider

Taika Waititi

Praise:

• Audience Appeal
• Box Office success
• Awards (Best Actress Oscar nomination)
• Some indigenous approval, worked with Maori community on film.

Work

Eagle vs. Shark (2007)

Boy (2010)

Father was a Maori artist, Mother was a school teacher of Russian Jewish heritage. Born on the North Island of New Zealand.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

1987 book written by Witi Ihimaera (first published Maori novelist)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Controversy

Criticism:

• Maori story should be told by Maori director
• cultural appropriation
• Past "sins" of cultural appropriation in films: Moana, Pocahontas, Frozen and other Disney films that hypersexualize the female characters, trivialize cultural traditions, promote stereotypes and cliches, etc

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

JoJo Rabbit (2019)

Started as an actor/comedian, then moved into writing/directing. Known for his comedic style and comfortable tone on his set. Involved in supporting other Maori stories/filmmakers.

Assimilation

Introduction to Outsiders

"Once Were Warriors" is controversial because of the amount of violence and gritty urbanism portrayed in the film

New Zealand required all children, including the Maori, go to school starting in 1877. Since English was the only language spoken, Maori children and then families stopped speaking Maori.

Many Maori lost their traditional ways of life as they assimilated to British culture.

After WWII, Maori began looking for work outside of their tribal lands, and moved to cities.

• Europeans introduced to the region after James Cook visited in 1769 while exploring
• More European settlers came after 1800, and Christian missionaries began teaching the Maori how to read and write around 1814.

• The Queen of England wanted to make New Zealand a colony, so sent governors to live there and establish control over the land and Maori people. The Maori signed a treaty called the Treaty of Waitangi, which gave England control over New Zealand.

• Many wars between the Maori and European settlers occurred in the 1860s because of disputes over land.

2003 Movie

Why is the violence so controversial?

Ngati

Cultural Context

First Feature Film written and directed by Maori

Directed by Niki Caro (not Maori) with an all Maori cast

Critics say the violence is devoid of any social or political context. There is no backdrop of the history of colonialism that has affected the Maori culture. Instead of recognizing these factors, it just reinforces negative stereotypes.

Before WWII - 80% of Maori lived in rural areas.

By mid-1990s, that statistic was reversed.

This was driven by employment opportunities. This was a huge culture shock and led to issues within urban Maori communities. (Dr. Pita Sharples, Maori affairs minister)

Supporters of the film say that the book/film speak out on issues that have been ignored, excused, or glossed-over within the Maori community.

Once Were Warriors:

The Writer

The Maori have had a relatively peaceful existence in New Zealand compared to other indigenous societies.

"Once Were Warriors" was a book by New Zealand author Alan Duff released in 1990.

• Never forcibly removed from land (Still some land disputes, but have been given land rights.)
• No overt racism
• No genocide
• high percentage of intermarriage between Maori and Europeans

Once Were Warriors:

The Movie

Alan Duff's mother was Maori. After his parent's divorce, he moved in with a Maori aunt and uncle and had a troubled childhood. This is reflected in "Once Were Warriors."

Lee Tamahori directed the 1994 film version of the book. Tamahori is Maori on his father's side and British on his mother's side.

The film version was rewritten to focus on Beth (the mother's) story. This added more themes of hope than the book had.

"Once Were Warriors" was the highest grossing film in New Zealand in 1994 - grossing even more than "Jurassic Park"