WARU

Drama
New Zealand, 2017, 88 min.

Directed by: Briar Grace-Smith, Casey Kaa, Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe, Chelsea Cohen, Renae Maihi, Paula Jones, Awanui Simich-Pene
Cast: Tanea Heke, Roimata Fox, Ngapaki Moetara, Awhina-Rose Ashby, Maria Walker, Kararaina Rangihau, Merehaka Maaka, Acacia Hapi, Antonio Te Maioha, Miriama McDowell, Amber Curreen

When a child is killed every five weeks, something must be done. Eight female Maori directors attempt to tackle this issue through their inter-connected stories, which deal with the neglect and abuse of children. At the heart of their films is the death of Waru, a young boy, who died at the hands of someone close to him. Eight stories unfold, centred around his traditional Maori funeral, all of which add up to an unexpectedly whole and cohesive movie. Each chapter shows the effects of the boy’s death on the family and the Maori community, and asks what social circumstances lay behind the tragedy. Very uniquely, each story was filmed in a single uninterrupted ten minute take in real time, and in only one day of shooting.

Festivals and Awards:
Toronto International Film Festival 2017
New Zealand International Film Festival 2017
Maoriland Film Festival 2018
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2018