Flicks, Liam Maguren
“What’s a Maori without roots, eh?” is the ultimate question posed on Danny (Francis Kora), an adopted child turned metro Maori whose whanau and whakapapa is a mystery to him. It’s a great set-up for exploring Maori identity in a contemporary world, and following Danny’s small three-piece acoustic band (featuring some damn fine songs from Warren Maxwell of Trinity Roots) up/down the North Island makes the deal sound even sweeter. But while the tale kicks off a number of themes, messages and ideas, it’s hard to feel it nails any of them.
Full review