Your Māori & Pasifika guide to flattie movie night
Who doesn’t love a classic movie night with the flatties? Cuddled up on the couch, snacks galore, maybe a couple bevvies (or bongs if that’s more your vibe). However, if you’re anything like me, picking what to watch is a mission and a half. Lucky for you, I’ve devised an exquisite, delicious list of Māori and Pasifika movies and shows, because our people are SO fucking talented and SO underrated. This is your sign to get the haumis together for a night of Māori/Pasifika excellence on screen.
Rūrangi -
Directed by Max Currie and written by Cole Meyers, Rūrangi tells the story of transgender activist Caz Davis in his return home to his conservative rural community of Rūrangi, having to face differing levels of mae irawhiti after a decade in the city. A project of aroha created by Aotearoa’s gender-diverse community, Rūrangi does trans representation right by having trans actors playing the trans characters, as well as featuring queer representation in its directors and writers. A standout character and sub-plot within the film is also Caz’s best friend Anahera, trying to embrace and come into her own identity as a Māori wahine, a journey many of us struggle with. And best of all - it is now a series. So much representation to celebrate within this piece of toi! The film and series can both be found on Neon.
We Are Still Here -
We Are Still Here is an anthology movie, combining eight powerful tales from a range of indigenous directors. This movie shows the strength of the indigenous people of Aotearoa, Australia and the South Pacific in overcoming extreme trauma and pain, a strong insight into the similarities and differences in how these cultures have responded to colonisation. Spanning over 1000 years of past, present, and future, we are taken on a journey to multiple places such as the 2021 Invasion Day graffiti artist protest in Naarm/Melbourne or a post-apocalyptic Tāmaki Makaurau in 2274. We Are Still Here plays with multiple viewpoints and timelines and weaves them together beautifully. It can be found in select theatres and also on Neon for rent.
Mataku -
An oldie but a goodie, Mataku is a bilingual supernatural series that was released in the early 2000s, created by Carey Carter and Bradford Haami. Mataku was the first TV drama to be written, directed and produced entirely by Māori people. It dreamt up worlds filled with the potential consequences of fucking around with tapu and tikanga Māori. We all have those stories in our iwi, hapū or marae— mine is one my koro told me of our island, where a part of the urupa is absolutely forbidden to tread on, and anyone who does would find themselves suffering the consequences later such as sickness or even death. Mataku doesn’t hesitate on gore, blood, magical realism and all-around creepiness, reminding us all that tapu will fuck our shit up if we don’t respect it. You can find episodes of it on YouTube and NZ On Screen.
Teine Sā -
Similar to Mataku, Teine Sā is a Pasifika-focused horror series, with all the episodes combined into a full feature film Teine Sā - The Ancient Ones. The five episodes tell the stories of five different Pacific goddesses, who they are and what they are known for across different cultures of the moana, including the likes of Telesā from Samoa, shaman guardians from the Solomon Islands, and the pan-Polynesian goddess of the moon, Sina. These ancient wāhine make their way into the modern world, interacting with five modern wāhine facing their own struggles and demons. Full of rich imagery and storytelling, this is a must-watch to gain a deeper insight into Pasifika cultures and spirituality. The full film can be found for FREE on Youtube.
Whetū Mārama: Bright Star -
Whetū Mārama: Bright Star shares the incredible story of the late Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi, aka Hec Busby, who left his longtime career of bridge building at age 50 to pursue his passion of Māori navigation, ocean voyaging and traditional waka building. More than 15 years in the making, the film collates a range of footage, such as archival footage or dramatic reconstruction. When I spoke to the directors last year in my previous reporting job, people who had worked alongside him the entire 15 years, you could really feel the aroha and respect they had for Sir Busby and his journey. Whetū Mārama: Bright Star honours Sir Busby wonderfully, shedding a deserved light on his huge contributions to Māori navigation within Aotearoa. It can be found for rent on Youtube, Apple TV, Google Movies or New Zealand Film OnDemand website.
Glossary:
Haumis – homies
Mae irawhiti – transphobia
Aroha – love
Wahine/wāhine – woman/women
Toi - art
Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland
Tapu – sacred
Tikanga - Māori customs and traditions
Iwi - Māori tribe
Hapū – subtribe
Moana ̶̶- ocean ̶
Marae – communal place for iwi and hapū