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Ahi Ataahua

1998 6m Short film
  • Dance
  • Māori
  • Music

This performance-based film could potentially be filed under 'Pasifika tribal fusion'. Cinematographer Waka Attewell (Starlight Hotel, Poi-E) captures the talents of percussion group Strike (including then long-haired composer Gareth Farr) and choreographer/dancer Mika. Attewell’s camera circles a furnace of Strike drummers, framed by harakeke and toi toi flowers. The title translates as ‘beautiful fire’. At the core of the elemental imagery — fire, rain — is Mika, whose body (dressed by Pacific Sisters) channels Farr’s music.