Kawa (2010)
"Nights in the Gardens of Spain" (original title)

An apparently happy family man who must reveal a lifelong secret, that he is gay.

Director:

Katie Wolfe

Writers:

Witi Ihimaera (based on the novel by), Witi Ihimaera (story),

Stars:

Calvin Tuteao, Nathalie Boltt, George Henare

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Calvin Tuteao	...	Kawariki
Nathalie Boltt	...	Annabelle
George Henare	...	Hamiora
Vicky Haughton	...	Grace
Dean O'Gorman	...	Chris
Pana Hema Taylor	...	Sebastian (as Pana Hema-Taylor)
Miriama-Jane Devantier	...	Miranda
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patara Berryman	...	Pita
Stephen Butterworth	...	Spaniard
Noa Campbell	...	Kura Mum
Scott Cotter	...	James
Amber Cureen	...	Jessica
Alexander Hempstock	...	Buff Guy
Margaret-Mary Hollins	...	Denise
Li Ming Hu	...	Alice (as Li-Ming Hu)

Storyline

Kawariki must become the leader of the family after his father retires in this intimate drama. A husband and father, he realizes that in order to lead with integrity, he must come out and be honest about his own life, even though it will test the boundaries of acceptance and unconditional love. Offering valuable insights into Maori traditions, family ideals and cultural values, this feature debut is rich and textured with emotional layers and stunning New Zealand landscapes.

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Plot Keywords:

new zealand | secret | gay | maori | bedroom | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori

Release Date:

5 July 2012 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Kawa

Filming Locations:

Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

NZD 1,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinco Cine, Conbrio

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Glad this movie exists, but it's not for me

I'm genuinely glad there are niche movies like Kawa for the people who need them, gay men from profoundly gay-hostile, tradition- and family-worshiping cultures. But all this movie does for me is make me extremely grateful that my own background is northern European, where the individual is more important than the family, the object of child-rearing is independence from the parents, not bondage to them forever, and men are not expected to stomp, thump their chests, and grunt in unison at birthday parties.

This movie is even more alien to me than a heterosexual romance. I found the melodrama unbearably tedious and the behavior of every person in the movie preposterous. I'm glad it's here for the men who can identify with it and be encouraged by it, but I'm not one of them.