New Zealand has young and relatively small, but very well known cinema industry, mostly due its talents and resources being employed by Hollywood productions. Some of New Zealand’s own films also became famous, and one of such examples includes 1994 drama Once Were Warriors. Based on the novel by Alan Duff, it deals with Maori family living in Auckland suburb surrounded by poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse and crime. Protagonist, played by Rena Owen, is Beth Heke, woman who abandoned her home town and traditional Maori lifestyle in order to marry Jake Heke (played by Temuera Morrison). Jake is now unemployed and spends all of his time in bar with alcohol creating many opportunities to display both his physical strength and bad temper, with Beth, forced to take care of family, often becoming victim of abuse. This situation has reflected badly on their three children, some of them trying to find the escape in crime and some in fantasy, which would lead to tragedy. Directed by Lee Tamahori, Once Were Warriors in 1994 managed to beat Hollywood blockbusters in home market despite being low-budget drama about prosaic and depressive subjects. That couldn’t be achieved without clear and powerful display of talents. One of the most memorable is Morrison in the role of man who can be loving father and husband only to turn into violent monster in the next second. This powerful role launched Morrison’s international career and also led to the sequel three years later.
RATING: 9/10
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