Mahana (2016)

From the author of "The Whale Rider", a tale of family rivalry and reconciliation, set against the stunning backdrop of rural New Zealand in the 1960s.

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers:

John Collee (screenplay), Witi Ihimaera (novel)

Stars:

Temuera Morrison, Akuhata Keefe, Nancy Brunning

2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Temuera Morrison	...	Grandfather Tamihana Mahana
Akuhata Keefe	...	Simeon Mahana
Nancy Brunning	...	Ramona Mahana
Jim Moriarty	...	Rupeni Poata
Regan Taylor	...	Joshua Mahana
Maria Walker	...	Huria Mahana
Sienna MacKinlay	...	Gloria Mahana
Tuhiwhakauraoterangi Wallace-Ihakara	...	Hope Mahana
Kyra McRae	...	Faith Mahana
Eds Eramiha	...	Pani
Ngahuia Piripi	...	Miriam Mahana
Matariki Whatarau	...	Mohi
Miriama McDowell	...	Aunt Saphora
Aroha Rawson	...	Aunt Ruth
Yvonne Porter	...	Poppy Poata

Storyline

From the author of "The Whale Rider", a tale of family rivalry and reconciliation, set against the stunning backdrop of rural New Zealand in the 1960s.

---

Plot Keywords:

reference to richard jaeckel | reference to van heflin | grandfather grandson relationship | father son relationship | husband wife relationship | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori

Release Date:

3 March 2016 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

The Patriarch

Filming Locations:

Minniesdale Chapel, 59 Shegadeen Rd, Wharehine, Auckland, New Zealand

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Patriarch Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Barbers Elaine and Calab are from Vinny's Barber Shop Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand.

---

Connections

Features 3:10 to Yuma (1957)

User Reviews

An uplifting and inspiring story

I see this movie has been given a bit of a drubbing by many critics. This is somewhat confusing for while it may not be "Gone with the Wind" or "Citizen Kane", it is a far, far better movie than a great many movies that have been reviewed far more favourably.

First up I would like to give a HUGE vote of thanks for a movie that shows the Maori people in a positive light, this must be a first. I am fed up to the back teeth with movies that show the gangs and the violence, not that these do not exist in any race, but enough already, we get the picture. What we badly need are some positive role models to aspire to and this movie is a step in the right direction. So bravo for that.

Not that Mahana is a "Maori" movie as such, for while the main characters are indeed Maori they could be any race or any mixture of races, they are simply people in a particular time and place, struggling like everyone else.

This movie has been described by some as a "pot boiler" and a "melodrama", rather unfairly I feel. I have seen a few potboilers in my time and this isn't one of them. And while there are a number of scenes that are overly sentimental or just plain unbelievable (the opening car chase and the horse in the cinema, for instance) in the overall sweep of the movie I think these are acceptable without rendering the entire movie a "melodrama". Personally I would say that Tamihori/Morrison's "Once were Warriors" is just as, if not more, melodramatic than "Mahana", yet ironically it didn't get branded as such because it was a "serious" movie with "serious" themes, whereas Mahana is "just" a story and doesn't get off so lightly.

As stories go it is a relatively simple one, not unlike "Warriors" in some respects since Temuera Morrison virtually reprises Jake the Muss. The acting is superb all round, and the cinematography breathtaking so full marks for technical aspects.

Seeing "Mahana" may not have changed my life but then again very few films have. But I enjoyed this movie far more than I expected and felt better for having seen it, so what more can you ask?