We Were Dangerous

A well made kiwi film doing what well made kiwi films do, tell a story well.

The cast are excellent with Rima Te Wiata a standout as matron, and a step away from her role in 'The hunt for the wilder people'.

The story is a simple one, without intrigue, car chases or CGI of more modern tales. Without giving the plot away it portrays the late 50's attitudes to the coming storm of the sixties well. Young women unprepared for a more modern life but plunging into anyway, and gaining the sigma of being a 'delinquent'. An older generation struggling to come to terms with this and clutching at the values of church, wedded bliss, government and stern teaching like a drowning man would clutch at a straw.

This film won't shatter you, nor test your sensibilities but if will give you a view through the window to a time it's hard to believe was just over half a century ago. How we've progressed?

The movie is sensible, mature and powerful. The friendship between the girls is maybe one of the best part of the movie. All the actress are amazing on this, especially Erana James with some of the most strong scenes (although the chemistry between the three of them is what is most beautiful about it). The final scene is my favourite one with a incredible soundtrack. The director did such a great job and choices for this movie. About the story, it's sad, funny sometimes, touching and very realistic. The hope of a escape for the girls is what made me more excited for, knowing that the strength of the movie consist in how the girls found hope on each other.

Theres something so magical about films made in New Zealand, about New Zealand and set in New Zealand. We were dangerous is a treasure of Aotearoa and I adored every second. The cast really pulled it together. Erana James is spectacular as always, Rima Te Wiata really shined as The Matron and embodied the horror of those institutions. I couldn't believe that this was Manaia Halls first acting job, she was such a joy to watch. We Were Dangerous was such a wonder to watch, it stuck the landing every second. A huge congratulations to Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu for her first feature film being one as incredible as this.

Set in New Zealand 1954, girls who are unruly are sent off to a strict Christian reform school. Being 1950s New Zealand, the school aims to teach the girls to become good wives, reject modernity like American culture (Rock n Roll). Another one is the assimilation into European culture and the rejection Maori identity and traditions. Our three main characters Neiley, Daisy and Lou have a hard time coming into these term with these rules and thus rebelled until their friendship is tested.

We Were Dangerous reminds of something like Derry Girls. You are following young girls in the 1950s being affected by the events around them. The movie does a good job in taken us back to 1950s New Zealand we see how some girls in the reform school are there for being promiscuous, being gay and being thieves (one child is in foster care and the other was sent to the city by themselves - I hardly fault them). The girls are taught to be proper Christian women so they are ready for marriage without being taught basics such as reading and writing. And of course the forced assimilation and cultural annihilation of the Maori by the sister (principal) completely rejecting her culture, the school not allowing Maori to be spoken, written and really any semblance of it to be shown.

Overall, it quite nice to watch. Can be a bit comedic at times and serious at others.

Kia ora. This is an excellent wee New Zealnd film, with great characters. Matron has a Nurse Ratched vibe, and all the cast felt authentic. So often teenagers are written as caricatures, but these girls felt like real people. I look forward to more from these film makers. I'm local enough that family of the cast were at the screening, made it a real Kiwi event!

As far as I know these events are fictional, but the plot was very believable. 1950's ideas about ideal members of society, how best to conform and knowing your place are uncomfortable. Thank the gods these attitudes are a thing of the past.