Went and saw this movie tonight and thought it mainly excellent. I think the nay-sayers could just not relate to the setting and modern historical context and how totally brutal it was.

But just wanted to draw attention to the talented Piha contribution to the movie:

• Mark Mitchinson played the Australian lawyer
• Megan Vertelle was set designer
• Tim Finn did music and has talked about working with the indigenous women in learning their sacred songs
• Jamahl Paerata took part in the water sequences.

Plus some of the imaginary sequences were set at Te Henga and the whole movie looked gorgeous.

Here’s Peter Calder’s review which I wholeheartedly endorse. This is a must see, not quite an imaginative tour de force, but close, and worth praising for its unique setting in place and events.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11133641