Dvd
Matariki
Kiwi independent drama from debut director Michael Bennett (TV's Outrageous Fortune).
It’s the Maori New Year, Matariki – a time for new beginnings – when the lives of eight people are affected by one random act of violence. Aleki, a master car thief, crosses paths with rebellious teenage girl, Spit. Rugby league star Tama saves the life of desperate Gunge – an act of heroism that brings tragedy to his own family. Rick, Tama’s brother, learns to stand up for himself and Megan, Tama’s wife, comes to accept the love that surrounds her; while Lisa, pregnant and wishing on angels, finds a real angel in Tyrone, a big-hearted man who sells Matariki icons in the weekend markets.
Starring Jason Wu, Susana Tang, Sara Wiseman, IaHeto Ah Hi, Jarod Rawiri, Alix Bushnell, Edwin Wright , Michael Whalley, Mark Ruka
Directed by Michael Bennett (feature debut)
Written by Michael Bennett, Gavin Strawhan
Cinematographer Alun Bollinger
Music by Don McGlashan
Festivals & Awards Winner of Best Supporting Actress (Wiseman), Aotearoa Film & Television Awards 2011.
Drama | 1hr 32mins | Origin: New Zealand | Official Site »
- Trailers
- Reviews
-
- SHARE:
- SHARE:
The Talk
48 votes / 1 comments
Flicks review
-
4
The steady stream of quality New Zealand films in 2010 continues unabated with this most recent effort. The title is a reference to the Maori New Year, signalling the film’s central concern with rebirth and new beginnings while simultaneously commenting on the difficulties of modern multicultural society.
Making up the plot are multiple storyline strands that intersect at key points. The way they are handled gives the story a sense of place and community, heightened by imagery easily identifiable for New Zealand audiences. This allows for effective comparisons and contrasts between the experiences of characters that come to have more in common than it would initially seem. Keeping in this spirit, the visual style of the film is reasonably basic and allows the solid ensemble cast (many of whom you’ll recognise from local TV) to do their thing. There are moments of genuine aesthetic flair, however, most notably a time-lapse transition from the night sky to the Otara markets.
It is the final sequence that is the film’s crowning achievement. The social commentary and cheeky humour dissipate as all the subplots collide, each heightening the emotional gravitas of the others, paying off the careful narrative structuring that has come before. It’ll have you leaving the cinema satisfied and caps off a great year for New Zealand film.
SHARE:
The people's reviews
18 reviews
View more trailers close window
-
Loading the player ...
Search For a DVD
I beg your pardon?
- Flicks.co.nz is serving the great nation of NZ with all things cinematic. Question about a movie or cinema? Thoughts on the site? Quips, gripes, advice for our own personal self-development?
- Get in touch with us by email at ED@ FLICKS.CO.NZ,on TWITTER oron FACEBOOK.
Want to see it
What say you? Yes No
Quik_Flix
I'm keen to watch this...!Would be good to win the dvd...!
1 of 1 - View all
View all comments