The Maori Merchant of Venice (2002)

A modern day take on the classic bard tale - with Silver as a movie producer.

Director:

Don Selwyn

Writers:

Pei Te Hurinui Jones (translation), William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Waihoroi Shortland, Ngarimu Daniels, Te Rangihau Gilbert

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Waihoroi Shortland	...	Hairoka (Shylock)
Ngarimu Daniels	...	Pohia (Portia)
Te Rangihau Gilbert	...	Patanio (Bassanio)
Scott Morrison	...	Anatonio (Antonio)
Veeshayne Armstrong	...	Nerita (Nerissa)
Sonny Kirikiri	...	Karatiano (Gratiano)
Te Kauhoe Wano	...	Hararino (Salerio)
Wharehoka Wano	...	Haranio (Solanio)
Te Arepa Kahi	...	Roreneto (Lorenzo)
Ngatai Rangihau	...	Renato (Leonardo)
Lawrence Makoare	...	Pirihina o Morako (Prince of Morocco)
Samson Pehi	...	Pirihina o Arakona (Prince of Arragon)
Mana Epiha	...	Ranaharoto (Launcelot Gobbo)
Eru Potaka Dewes	...	Kopo Kaumatua
Reikura Morgan	...	Tiehika

Storyline

The Maori take on Shakespeare's 'pound of flesh' drama is a story of deep seated social and religious prejudice, that has its revenge in a money lending deal that is bonded in a pound of the Christian merchant's flesh on forfeit. The Jew (Shylock) has a long memory of oppression, but revenge is not so sweet.

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Plot Keywords:

foreign language adaptation | shakespeare's the merchant of venice | based on play

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Taglines:

Revenge is not so sweet

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

He Taonga films [nz]

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

Maori

Release Date:

17 February 2002 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Te tangata whai rawa o Weniti

Company Credits

Production Co:

He Taonga Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first feature film shot in the Maori language.

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Connections

Version of The Merchant of Venice (1976)

User Reviews

A different take on a familiar story

This movie presents a Maori version of Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice,' which has been translated into Maori for the movie, and then the Maori has been translated back into English for the English subtitles. This takes it several steps away from Shakespeare's original text, but the story is pretty faithful to the original plot. Some of the acting appeared to be quite wooden, but that may have been a cultural thing, because I had to glean the meaning from the subtitles and body language. I found it a very enjoyable movie, and enjoyed the Maori take on Shakespeare's play. One thing that I found particularly good was the way the movie handled the rivalry between Antonio and Shylock. Antonio can often come across as an insipid loser, but this movie highlights the antagonism between him and Shylock, and makes the 'merry bond' most believable as a challenge thrown down and taken up. I would recommend this movie to anybody interested in Shakespeare, particularly 'The Merchant of Venice.'