The Pa Boys
Kiwi road-trip drama following three-piece Wellington reggae band The Pā Boys as they tour the North Island. This marks the feature debut of Himiona Grace with music by Trinity Roots’ Warren Maxwell.
The journey is one that sees Danny (Francis Kora), a young Māori man whose whakapapa is a mystery to him, conflicting with their newest member Tau (Matariki Whatarau), an elusive and talented musician deeply rooted in his heritage. Tau tries to educate Danny in the ways of traditional Māori values, only to provoke frustration and anger within the group. To make matters more complex, the band is joined by Danny’s ex-wife and mother of his child.
- Director:
- Himiona Grace (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Himiona Grace
- Cast:
- Francis KoraMatariki WhatarauJuanita HepiTola NewburyRoimata FoxCalvin TuteaoTroy Kingi
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicks“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.
Gisborne Herald review
The pace of the movie, too, is different from the calculated peak-plateau-peak progression Hollywood has conditioned us to expect. The story does not advance as much as unravel. By the time the story reaches its unexpected resolution, plot threads and themes tie together for an ending that left many in the audience powerfully moved. ...... (Director) Grace...
New Zealand Herald
pressSmall and heartfelt... In short, its virtues more than compensate for its lapses and it's a promising first harvest from a vigorous new tree.
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicks“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.
New Zealand Herald
pressSmall and heartfelt... In short, its virtues more than compensate for its lapses and it's a promising first harvest from a vigorous new tree.
Gisborne Herald review
The pace of the movie, too, is different from the calculated peak-plateau-peak progression Hollywood has conditioned us to expect. The story does not advance as much as unravel. By the time the story reaches its unexpected resolution, plot threads and themes tie together for an ending that left many in the audience powerfully moved. ...... (Director)...
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