To be honest, I only saw this film because my friend Kikorangi was in it. Otherwise I probably would have chosen something else. The best thing about going to a film with this attitude is that you set yourself up to be pleasantly surprised!
Okay, the film wasn't perfect. Firstly it didn't have enough of Kikorangi in it for my tastes. Some of the acting was a bit wooden and at times it was a bit slow. The photography was extremely beautiful, but I think they fell in love with their shots a bit too much, wanting to include all of them, instead of focusing on what was necessary to tell the story. There was also quite a lot of Maori mysticism, which didn't ring true for me. Possibly it's because I have such a limited experience of Maori culture, but it seemed to me that the picture they painted was a little bit fake.
Despite all of this though, I came out of the film very pleased that I had seen it. I cried twice, which I always consider to be evidence of good film-making. I enjoy the experience of crying in a film. I like the catharsis. I love the sensation of connection. Sure, I may be a connecting with a fictional 2D character, but at least I know I still have the ability to empathise and I'm not desensitised to the struggles of others. As above, I thought the photography was gorgeous and it brought the land to life. It was also a sweet story, although there were several times it appeared to be building to a climax but did not deliver. Never mind, we got there in the end.
Lessons learned: Audiences can forgive poorer acting, as long as the actors keep it simple and sweet. Focus on the story.
Okay, the film wasn't perfect. Firstly it didn't have enough of Kikorangi in it for my tastes. Some of the acting was a bit wooden and at times it was a bit slow. The photography was extremely beautiful, but I think they fell in love with their shots a bit too much, wanting to include all of them, instead of focusing on what was necessary to tell the story. There was also quite a lot of Maori mysticism, which didn't ring true for me. Possibly it's because I have such a limited experience of Maori culture, but it seemed to me that the picture they painted was a little bit fake.
Despite all of this though, I came out of the film very pleased that I had seen it. I cried twice, which I always consider to be evidence of good film-making. I enjoy the experience of crying in a film. I like the catharsis. I love the sensation of connection. Sure, I may be a connecting with a fictional 2D character, but at least I know I still have the ability to empathise and I'm not desensitised to the struggles of others. As above, I thought the photography was gorgeous and it brought the land to life. It was also a sweet story, although there were several times it appeared to be building to a climax but did not deliver. Never mind, we got there in the end.
Lessons learned: Audiences can forgive poorer acting, as long as the actors keep it simple and sweet. Focus on the story.
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