Anna posted on April 30, 2009 16:08
This year’s southern celebration of MATARIKI, (Maori New Year) is now in its planning stages at Venture Southland.
In keeping with the promotion of this nationally occurring annual celebration, Venture Southland is building on the interest generated with last year’s Matariki - Fire and Ice with a special night of Maori short films.
The national travelling programme of Maori short films, The Wairoa Matariki Maori Film Festival will be showcased at Centrestage Theatre on Saturday, June 6.
Venture Southland creative projects manager, Angela Newell is hopeful the film festival will become an annual event celebrating the Matariki constellation’s arrival in the southern skies. Traditionally, the constellation’s appearance heralds Maori New Year.
“Last year we produced a theatre show which told various stories of Matariki. This year, the public will have the opportunity to enjoy a series of short films in keeping with the Matariki theme.”
In addition to the film festival, several other events celebrating Matariki will be highlighted in a promotional flyer. These include a talk about the Matariki constellation by Lloyd Esler, the Matariki Ball and a screening of the acclaimed New Zealand film Rain of the Children by Vincent Ward.
Venture Southland is keen to hear from groups around Southland who are planning similar Matariki celebrations so that a consolidated marketing campaign could be undertaken.
Matariki Festival screening schedule
The selection of the NZ Film Commission-funded Maori short films and NZ On Air funded music videos selected especially for the Matariki Festival are:
TANGAROA GOD OF THE SEA
2008, NZ, 5 minutes, Director: Carey Carter
Inspired by the raw energy of Tangaroa, God of the Sea, this powerful music video pays homage to Maori tradition while paving the way for contemporary interpretation.
SHADOWS
2008 New Zealand 12 minutes Director Mike Jonathon
A brilliant and exquisitely terrifying trip into the haunted soul of a man tormented by demonic shadows. Fasten your seat belts.
JOURNEY TO IHIPA
2009 New Zealand 15 minutes Director Nancy Brunning Writer Vicki-Anne Heikell Producer Makerita Urale EP Catherine Fitzgerald
When a young soldier dies during WWII, extended Maori family protect the bloodline by taking his baby from his European mother. She waits her whole life for him to return, but when he finally does, it's not what she hoped for...
PATU IHU
2007 35 minutes Director Summer Agnew
A young man explores a memory of a childhood game and a lesson learned from his uncle. The memory provides respite from the profound grief of the uncle’s passing and allows him time to reconcile his feelings of loss and say farewell.
APHRODITE’S FARM
2008 New Zealand 15 minutes Director Adam Strange Writer Peter Force Producer Anzak Tindall
Everyone in Taranaki wants to know the secret behind the magical milk produced on Aphrodite’s Farm. The family secret has remained safe for four generations. However when patriarch Ralph Riley dies, the future of the farm is thrown into jeopardy. The timely arrival of young farm hand Friday will bring the family’s destiny full circle… but things will get a whole lot worse before they get any better.
GRAFFITI OF MR TUPAIA
2007 35 mm Director Christopher Dudman
When a Cook Island school cleaner answers an unusual graffiti message, his life, and the life of the mysterious author will never be the same again. Starring Rawiri Paratene.
TUIA
Music by Ariana Tikao, Video Directed by Louise Potiki Bryant
Short film programme curated by Leo Koziol, Festival Director, Wairoa Maori Film Festival
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