Waru
WARU
Waru is a feature film made up of eight 10 minute short films each written and directed by Māori women film makers.
winner - Best Feature Film Screenplay
- 2017 Screen Writers Guild of New Zealand Awards
“The subject could hardly be heavier, but this is a hugely important film. It’s a film everyone in the family should see and talk about.”
Synopsis: Eight female Māori directors have each contributed a ten minute vignette, presented as a continuous shot in real time, that unfolds around the tangi (funeral) of a small boy (Waru) who died at the hands of his caregiver. The vignettes are all subtly interlinked and each follow one of eight female Māori lead characters during the same moment in time as they come to terms with Waru's death and try to find a way forward in their community. In Māori, waru means 8.
Producers: Kerry Warkia & Kiel McNaughton
Directed by: Briar Grace-Smith, Casey Kaa, Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe, Renae Maihi, Chelsea Cohen, Paula Jones, Awanui Simich-Pene.
Written by: Briar Grace-Smith, Casey Kaa, Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe, Renae Maihi, Chelsea Cohen, Paula Jones, Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu (writer of Titty & Bash).
Director of photography: Drew Sturge
Production designer: Riria Lee
Costume designer: Lindah Lepou
Music by: Lauren King
Distribution in New Zealand & Australia: Vendetta FIlms
The eight directors talk about 'Waru'
film festivals
“We’re thrilled to host the world premiere of Waru in Auckland, an event that promises to be moving and memorable.
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