The Patriarch (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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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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

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$914,715

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.

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Connections

Features 3:10 to Yuma (1957)

User Reviews

Mahana The Patriarch

'The Patriarch' as a title tells us more about this fine family drama than "Mahana". Right from the opening, you know you're about to be entertained in grand style. The screenplay by Scottish writer John Collee seems to capture novelist Witi Ihimaera's characters with all their charismatic colour but, some unnecessarily crude story elements and predictable situations don't hold up all that well. Temura Morrisson's portrayal of Grandfather is at times a little disturbing in his sternness, bordering on the downright cruel and sets a powerful, if not frightening presence. All performers bring their roles as family members and town's folk to vivid life and the production design creates a powerful atmosphere.

It's difficult to find words to do justice to the look of this movie – cinematographer Ginny Loane makes New Zealand's hills and valleys look like heaven on earth! Colourist, Set Decoration, Art Direction and Lighting Masters have infused external and internal settings with a haunting evocation of 50's – 60's moods. There's even a marvelous clip from the above-average 50's western '3.10 to Yuma' – complete with that haunting theme song in all its original arrangements - that I'm sure, would have been lifted right out of the writer's memories from the time.

This is movie-making as it once was, real, involving, something many viewers could identify with. It's just a pity the last quarter was not as convincing as the beginning - still, Congratulations are due to those involved – think I might be looking at this one again.