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Synopsis

Six Māori Battalion soldiers camped in Italian ruins wait for night to fall. In the silence the bros-in-arms distract themselves with jokes. A tohu (sign) brings them back to reality and they gather to say a karakia before returning to the fray. Director Taika Waititi: "they are a bunch of young men [...] who have a special bond, strengthened by their character, their culture and each other." Shot in the rubble of the old Wellington Hospital Tama Tū won international acclaim: honourable mention at Sundance and a special jury prize at Berlin.

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Comments (43)

 TJ

TJ

My partner loves this visual. This short film shows that despite travelling to an unknown territory for war they would always remember where they came from. Favourite scene - throws stone at lookout, lookout responds with a silent 'what'.

 Waim

Waim

So typical of Maori boys......find humor in any situation, and I imagine that it would've been like that....this is a great short film

 George Hiku

George Hiku

HAHA this really cracks ne out of ma boots

 Zaelene Maxwell-Butler

Zaelene Maxwell-Butler

I found out about this on Facebook and just had to watch. Very funny, very moving.....what happens next? I very much enjoy your work.

......tuturu whakamaua kia tina!!!!!

 Paretoroa

Paretoroa

It was so touching. Found it so easy to relate to the boys, easily able to see my brothers, sons, uncles and cousins mucking around doing dorky things and acting like eggs. And then to be brought back by the tohu, and the karakia scene was so poignant and taumaha. Truly masterful and evocative

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Included in:

 Anzac Day Collection
 Greatest Hits