Once Were Warriors follows the experiences of a Maori family living in poverty in New Zealand. Jake Heke is an abusive husband who regularly gets drunk and hits his wife, Beth, whistle at the same time it is still apparent that he does need his wife and children. Beth is the long suffering abused wife who tries to see the good in Jake even though she knows what he does is wrong. Nig is about to join a violent gang whistle boogie is always getting in trouble with the police and is close to being sent to a children's home. Finally Grace is the one person who has not been affected by Jakes violence, however, Grace suffers an excruciatingly painful ordeal that will change her and her family forever.
Lee Tamahori directed Once Were Warriors in 1994, a time in which women were beginning to disperse the male-dominated society. The issue of domestic abuse is candidly approached without portraying Beth as a stereotypically abused wife. Lee Tamahori also expertly manages to ensure that Jake is not viewed as another stereotypical, immoral abusive husband.
The film also deals with social and economical circumstances within a working class Maori culture in New Zealand. Although they are both of Maori descent, Jake and Beth had very different backgrounds. Jake was a working class man with no real expectations and Beth was a Maori tribal princess. The viewer is reminded of their differences at many points during the film so we can see how different they are.
Once Were Warriors is crammed full of effective cinematic devices that allow the viewer to really enjoy the film. The audience is treated to an abundance of different camera angles to reflect the different attitudes and values presented in the film. Lee Tamahori also uses different kinds of music to reflect the emotions of the characters, E.G when Jake is getting angry, we hear a low humming sound and when the whole family is together and happy, a happy and uplifting song is played.
Lee Tamahori has created a groundbreaking masterpiece that has the power to amaze and shock audiences time and time again. However, the real credit must go to the two main actors, Rena Owen and Temeura Morrison. Rena Owen plays Beth with such a convincing performance that the audience actually believes her as Beth and not just a patronising, naïve actor. Temeura Morrison portrays Jake as a complex character that has many other issues and problems besides the drinking and getting angry. Unlike many other actors, Temeura Morrison does not play Jake as a stereotypical abusive husband, which is part of the reason why Once Were Warriors is so powerful and effective. The chemistry between Rena Owen And Temeura Morrison is so compelling, that together, with the amazing screenplay by Alan Duff and direction of Lee Tamahori, successfully render Once Were Warriors one of the most potent and shocking films of the 1990's
Lee Tamahori directed Once Were Warriors in 1994, a time in which women were beginning to disperse the male-dominated society. The issue of domestic abuse is candidly approached without portraying Beth as a stereotypically abused wife. Lee Tamahori also expertly manages to ensure that Jake is not viewed as another stereotypical, immoral abusive husband.
The film also deals with social and economical circumstances within a working class Maori culture in New Zealand. Although they are both of Maori descent, Jake and Beth had very different backgrounds. Jake was a working class man with no real expectations and Beth was a Maori tribal princess. The viewer is reminded of their differences at many points during the film so we can see how different they are.
Once Were Warriors is crammed full of effective cinematic devices that allow the viewer to really enjoy the film. The audience is treated to an abundance of different camera angles to reflect the different attitudes and values presented in the film. Lee Tamahori also uses different kinds of music to reflect the emotions of the characters, E.G when Jake is getting angry, we hear a low humming sound and when the whole family is together and happy, a happy and uplifting song is played.
Lee Tamahori has created a groundbreaking masterpiece that has the power to amaze and shock audiences time and time again. However, the real credit must go to the two main actors, Rena Owen and Temeura Morrison. Rena Owen plays Beth with such a convincing performance that the audience actually believes her as Beth and not just a patronising, naïve actor. Temeura Morrison portrays Jake as a complex character that has many other issues and problems besides the drinking and getting angry. Unlike many other actors, Temeura Morrison does not play Jake as a stereotypical abusive husband, which is part of the reason why Once Were Warriors is so powerful and effective. The chemistry between Rena Owen And Temeura Morrison is so compelling, that together, with the amazing screenplay by Alan Duff and direction of Lee Tamahori, successfully render Once Were Warriors one of the most potent and shocking films of the 1990's