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Synopsis

Once Were Warriors was an internationally successful film that honestly opened the eyes of cinema goers to an unexamined aspect of modern New Zealand life. Lee Tamahori's visceral and hard hitting depiction of gang and domestic violence amongst an urban Māori whānau was adapted from the best-selling Alan Duff novel by screenwriter Riwia Brown. Produced by Robin Scholes, the film provided career-defining roles for Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen as Jake the Mus and Beth Heke.

Background

A perspective by Paul Stanley Ward 22.10.2008

This is a brutal tale of an urban Māori whānau falling apart as patriarch Jake abuses his rage and Beth struggles to hold the family together in a South Auckland slum. The important film captured the attention of not only "shaken and silent" ...

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A Māori Perspective by Maraea Rakuraku 22.10.2008

"Where the fuck is everyone!" bellows Jake Heke aka Jake the Muss (Temuera Morrison) as he swaggers onto the screen and into the New Zealand consciousness, via Once Were ...

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Writer's perspective by Riwia Brown 22.10.2008

The adaptation of Alan Duff's book and the development of the screenplay for Once Were Warriors was one of the most challenging and yet creative times of my early writing career.

Following a chance meeting with ...

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Comments (4)

 Brenda Leeuwenberg

Brenda Leeuwenberg

The sequel is "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted". You can find out more about it here: http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/what-becomes-of-the-broken-hearted-1999

 sebastian frawley

sebastian frawley

I heard that there was a sequel to once were warriors. I think the name of is (something) of the broken hearted. If this is correct what is the correct name of the sequel?

 Lindsay Shelton

Lindsay Shelton

The movie was never banned in the USA or anywhere else. It had a wide US theatrical release with enthusiastic reviews. Particular praise was given to the performances of Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison.

 Warwick

Warwick

Hi, is it rumour or truth that this movie was banned in the USA shortly after release?

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Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 Top 5 NZ Feature Films
 NZ Book Month Collection

Quotes

You’re not gonna hurt my babies anymore. 
Cook the man some f**king eggs. 

Awards

Judged one of the 10 Best Films of the Year
The Melbourne Age, Melbourne Sunday Herald, Sunday Age