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Released in Kiwi cinemas in August 2009 - after winning praise at festivals in Berlin and Rotterdam - The Strength of Water marks the big-screen debut of Māori playwright Briar Grace-Smith, and Pākehā director Armagan Ballantyne. The film centres on a 10-year-old twin brother and sister in an isolated part of the Hokianga, and the events that follow when they encounter a young stranger. The Strength of Water merges a spare, naturalistic portrait of a Māori family struggling to stay above water, with moody images of earth and sea, loss and new beginnings.
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Television, 2001 (Excerpts)
Another teen tale from the same writer and director
2010 New Zealand Scriptwriters Awards (NZ Writers Guild)
Best Feature Film Script:Briar Grace-Smith
2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards
Images and Sound Best Sound Design in a Feature Film (Dave Whitehead and Polly McKinnon)
Finalist - Most
Outstanding Website
The ONYAs 2010 & 2011
Best Entertainment Website
Finalist – Website design
Qantas Media Awards 2009
NZ ON SCREEN 2012
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
The synopsis and credits are included
Sandra Smith
Posted at 05.25PM - 16.02.2011
I just loved this movie. I try to watch as many NZ movies as possible but this one struck a chord. I loved the way it captured the innocence and naivety of the children, the northland coastal scenery, their love for their pet chook. It has stayed with me.