MikeWalker
- Director
- Writer
Impressed by untapped Polynesian talent, Levin-based filmmaker collaborated on a trio of pioneering films that put young Polynesians and Māori centre-frame: Kingi's Story, Kingpin, and award-winning telemovie Mark II. Walker passed away in late 2004.
Screenography
Biography
Filmmaker Mike Walker began developing a road movie back in 1975: a rare film where young Polynesians would take centre-stage. But as is often the way with filmmaking, funding proved an issue. As a result, he would make two other dramas first, both of which won acclaim for their storytelling and portrayal of at-risk youth. Of the trio, Kingi's Story and Mark II would prove especially pioneering, in terms of putting Māori and Polynesians in lead roles on the small screen.
Awards
1987 Listener GOFTA Awards
Best Single Drama Programme: Mark II
Nominated for Best Writer - Drama (with Mitchell Manuel): for Mark II
1985 Moscow Film Festival
Special Prize for 'the clearest embodiment of the ideas of anti-imperialist solidarity, peace and friendship": for Kingpin
“... you can look at a lot of New Zealand television and you wouldn’t think there were any brown-faced people in New Zealand at all.”
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