Once Were Warriors [IMPORT]

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Summary: Don't Sleep On This....
Review: This movie was one of the best movies I ever saw. I stumbled upon this movie one night when my little cousins were watching it on cable. All I have to say is, if you haven't seen it, do so right now!

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Summary: Not really Alan Duff's Aotearoa
Review: Kia ora tatou (Greetings to you all),

This movie is the best Aotearoan/New Zealand movie ever and one of the best of all time. I use OWW in my anthropology classes in Hawai`i where its Polynesian ambience translates well even for those who are not PN themselves. The power of the movie is that it transcends its location while at the same time giving a very powerful rendition of the anguish and oh so complicated mana of what it means to be Maori, urban and poor in New Zealand today.

Of course, not all South Aucklanders live like this and of course not all Maori are urban, underclass and alienated from their heritage. Nevertheless, this is a faithful evocation of the awful situations that some of our people have to deal with. I say "our" because although I am not tangata whenua myself, we all (all New Zealanders) bear some responsibility for the legacy of colonialism that Tamahori so elegantly suggests in this movie. Beth's interaction with the smirking white cops in the opening minutes of the movie is a truly marvellous example of this.

This is where Tamahori's movie is actually a very different vision of urban Maori culture and New Zealand society as a whole from that provided by the novel by the Maori academic Alan Duff (Once Were Warriors, Univ. of Hawai`i Press) on which the movie is based. Duff equates the effect of white supremacy in NZ to a storm: "Do I accuse the storm that destroys my crops? No I [do not]..., I clean up and then I PLANT AGAIN".

Tamahori places the historical responsibility where it truly lies and portrays urban Maori in a more sympathetic and humane light. Duff however parcels out blame heavily on his own people. In his (dare we say bourgeois?) insistence that poor urban Maori are a bookless people who are doomed to redundancy, viciousness and poverty if they do not shake off their own self-pity, and improve themselves, Duff comes perilously close to the self-promoting "I hauled mesself up by me own boot-straps" argument so beloved by right-wing settlers, immigrants and self-made men.

What makes OWW such a great film is that it looks the issues (and yes, the responsibilities for domestic abuse, alcoholism and violence) firmly in the eye and yet allows the people in the community the right to stand for themselves. If I had to choose between Alan Duff and Lee Tamahori, I would choose Tamahori's vision as the more nuanced, complex and ultimately righteous. Kia ora, bro'.

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Summary: Words cannot discribe the Power of this movie!
Review: After being told to watch this movie by so many people I finally rented it. My daughter was ready to fall asleep on the couch when I started it, I told her to watch it with me, that it was suppose to be an awesome movie. She just grunted and turned her back. Within 5 minutes she was watching, within 10 minutes she was sitting up and watching, within 15 minutes both of us were glued to the TV, on the edge of our seats, crying, and so emotional. She (and I) have since watched this movie dozens of times (she still crys) THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL MOVIE YOU WILL EVER WATCH, without a doubt.

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Summary: Maoris in the Hood
Review: When I saw this movie I was astounded by the parrallels between the Maoris and Americas inner city. I've never been to New Zealand but the story could just as easily have been set in South Central LA. The story is completely compelling and I have recomended it to any one I knew that would listen.

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Summary: From a New Zealander's point of view
Review: Once Were Warriors is a realistic, unedited version of true family life for some, Maori and otherwise. This movie shows a regular family, and real life situations, and the acting by Temuera Morrison (Jake), Rena Owen, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, and Taungaroa Emile is outstanding. I'm proud that this is a product of NZ, and Lee Tamahori.

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Summary: PURE MANA! (Spirit or Power)
Review: To the Sydney, Australia viewer who comments: What can I say!

Your comment on Maori/Pacific Islanders is just that. A comment! Not factual at all. All you have done is shown that we still live in a world of ignorant and racist individuals such as yourself. Are your words suppose to offend the islanders of such a beautiful culture? Let me say this, your kind has killed, stealed, and destroyed for centuries. And that stems to all people of color. But we have survived! So there is nothing you can do or say that could do diddle squat. So when you see people of color on your TV commercials, in sports, movies, etc... Remember this, its people like you who have made us stronger and our success grows more rapidly everyday. And when you least expect it, we will move right into your family. Marrying your sons or daughters making your grandchildren apart of the culture you so despise. But only then will your family be truly blessed to have a culture because obviously you have none. I feel sad for you, COWARD with NO NAME! Do you wear a bedsheet covering your face too? May the lord have mercy on your soul! MOVIE REVIEW: Pure Mana! This film is as real as it gets but for me, being polynesian. I am proud of what they have done with this film because it crosses all color lines. No matter Male or female, black or white, rich or poor, you will react to this movie because the message is raw and powerful.

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Summary: Nothing portrays better the cycle of violence
Review: As a man, there are not many movies that break through my disaffected façade, but I actually sobbed uncontrollably, not weeping or politely tearing, for 10 minutes after watching this movie.

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Summary: It gets worse yet...
Review: As gritty as New Zealand films get (Unfortunatly...) this film presents it's central themes within a slick and tight structure. A Fierce melodrama which should serve as a model for many New Zealand films to come (Interesting to note that many South Aucklanders felt the film glamorised what really happens in South AK)

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Summary: Once were worriors
Review: hi I come from New Zealand. Here is really quite a multi-cuatural place. Im 15,still at school. I think Once were worriors' reflects with some of the lives some families cope with here and all over the world. i have a bit of moari in me as well as European. I know my self i was in a family that coped with serious abusefrom my dad. He left when i was 5. I say this because i have read some real negitive things about this movie saying "it never happens that type of abuse" well it does,it happens to kids and their families all the time. I think the movie is real emotional butit's the total coolest.I only saw it once , but those actors are the best and the realness

Rating:
Summary: makes one think
Review: I first saw this movie about 7 years ago. I still recommend it to others and have been searching for it for quite awhile. I hope that anyone who views this movie comes away with a sense of sadness mixed with pride as I did. It is the same sad story we have seen here with Native Americans, Africans in South Africa; the taking of land, self pride, and culture by White Europeans. Once proud and strong, the Aboriginal Natives of these lands now struggle with alcoholism, poverty and self-destruction. I too am a minority. This movie still evokes strong emotions within me and I hope it will do the same to you. This is what movies are supposed to do, make us THINK! Some of you make find it hard to watch, but if it stirs any emotion within you then it has done it' s job.