Review of Once Were Warriors (1994) by Ian S — 12 Nov 2007
Devastating. Brutal. This film will crush your soul.
That was the short version but this film deserves much more. My highschool English teacher defined drama as a catharsis of emotion. Given that definition, this is the truest drama that I have ever seen. Even the most cold-hearted sociopath will drained by the end. The opening frame has a picture perfect scene of the lovely, bucolic NZ we all know from postcards. Then the camera pans from what was actually a billboard to South Auckland. This is the director's way of saying that this film is about the NZ you don't know, there is not a single sheep in the movie. It involves domestic violence in a suburban Maori community. In that sense, it could have been made in any marginalized community in the world. What makes in distinctly Maori is the way in which the various family members deal with the violence by drawing strength, in different ways, from their ancestors. Easily Lee Tamahori's best film and by far Temuera Morrison's (Jenga Fett from Star Wars) best role.
"You're still a slave Jake".
This review of Once Were Warriors (1994) was written by Ian S on 12 Nov 2007.
Once Were Warriors has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
