Taungaroa Emile Movies
- 2006
A spirited older woman decides to bring her quarrelsome family together for a party in this comedy drama from New Zealand playwright-turned-filmmaker Toa Fraser. Eightysomething Nana Maria (Ruby Dee) was born in Fiji, but has spent most of her life in New Zealand, where she lives in a run-down but beautiful house on Mount Raskil with her fully grown granddaughter Charlene (Mia Blake), Charlene's young daughter, and Erasmus (Rene Naufahu), another adult grandchild who has a drinking problem. One morning, Nama Maria wakes up early and decides the family shall gather for a celebratory feast, complete with a roast pig. However, Charlene and Erasmus understand just how tall an order this is -- Nana has two sons, Percy (Pio Terei) and John (Nathaniel Lees), who can't stand one another and barely tolerate their other relations, while grandson Tyson (Xavier Horan) has made a name for himself in business and would rather spend time with his girlfriend from Holland than see his uncles. But somehow Nana Maria's children, grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren are rounded up for the occasion, some lured by her promise that she will announce who will inherit her estate after she's gone. No. 2 received its North American premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruby Dee, Taungaroa Emile, (more)
Based on the novel of the same name by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider is a unique family drama directed Niki Caro. On the eastern coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. This tradition is challenged when a young mother dies in childbirth along with her newborn male son. His twin sister manages to survive and the father (Cliff Curtis) runs off, overwhelmed with grief. The little girl, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), is brought up by stubborn grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) and gentle grandmother Nanny (Vicky Haughton). Koro, the chief of their tribe, is disappointed because Pai's twin brother was supposed to be the next leader. Trying to find the proper successor, he attempts to organize a leadership group amongst the local boys while Pai enlists the help of her has-been uncle Rawiri (Grant Roa) to teach herself the art of chiefdom. She appears to possess a natural leadership ability and adventurous spirit that draws her to the proliferation of her faltering tribe. Whale Rider premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival and won the World Cinema Audience Award. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, (more)
- 2001
While returning the Helmet of Hermes to the King of Thebes, Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) pause long enough to prevent a human sacrifice. The rescued victim is Genia (Katie Stuart), a virgin who was to have given up her life to protect her people from the wrath of a warlord. Determined to be sacrificed for the "greater good," Genia refuses to listen to the life-affirming words of Xena and Gabrielle -- and disaster ensues. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, (more)
- 1999
Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) endeavors to save the citizenry of Mount Pelion from an erupting volcano. He is joined in this mission by Amazon queen Ephiny (Danielle Cormack), the centaur Nagus (James Gaylyn), and a youth named Kurth (Jonnno Roberts) -- who has been condemned to death for the murder of Nagus's son. The climax brings into play the energy crystals introduced in the fourth-season finale "Atlantis," not to mention a conspicuous act of redemption and self-sacrifice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Danielle Cormack, (more)
- 1995
Granting the last request of a dying soldier, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) delivers the dead man's sword to his widow, Janista (Marisa Wipani) and his 13-year-old son Titus (Peter Milachi). Alas, it appears as though the sword is going to be put to bad use: Titus has fallen completely under the spell of the war god Ares. In his efforts to save the boy from himself, Hercules forges a close relationship with Atalanta (Cory Everson), a woman who is almost as strong and twice as resourceful as he. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Cory Everson, (more)
This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand, outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke (Temurea Morrison and Rena Owen) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other, Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober, but when drunk, he's a violent psychopath given to blink-of-an-eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job, leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig (Julian Arahanga), Jake's oldest son, has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13-year-old daughter Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell) prefers to spend her time with her drug-addicted boyfriend -- rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, (more)
