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Profile image for Lee Tamahori

Lee Tamahori

Director [Ngāti Porou]

Lee Tamahori worked his way up the filmmaking ranks, before debuting as a feature director with 1994's Once Were Warriors. The portrait of a violent marriage became the most successful film in Kiwi history, and won international acclaim. Between Warriors and 2016's Mahana, Tamahori has worked mainly overseas, where he has directed everything from The Sopranos to 007 blockbuster Die Another Day.

It didn't change the nature of the society, but I said from the get-go, 'If one woman gets out of an abusive relationship because of this picture, I'll be a happy man.' Lee Tamahori on Once Were Warriors, in a March 2008 interview on website The Hollywood Interview

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The Convert

2023, Director, Writer, Tātai Waitara/ Story Producer - Film

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Mahana

2016, Director - Film

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Hautoa Mā! The Rise of Māori Cinema

2016, Subject - Television

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Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?

2014, Subject - Television

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Utu Redux

2013, First Assistant Director - Film

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Frontline - Kiwis Cannes Do

1994, Subject - Television

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Once Were Warriors

1994, Director - Film

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Theme from Once Were Warriors

1994, Director - Music video

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Wonderful World - TV One Channel ID

1991, Director - Television

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Bungy Fishing - Instant Kiwi Attitude

1989, Director - Commercial

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1990 Commonwealth Games promo - Join Together

1989, Director - Commercial

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E Tipu E Rea - Thunderbox

1989, Director - Television

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The Power of Music (Te Kaha o Te Waiata)

1988, Co-Director - Short Film

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Sensitive to a Smile

1987, Co-Director - Music video

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Bridge to Nowhere

1986, First Assistant Director - Film

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The Quiet Earth

1985, First Assistant Director - Film

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Came a Hot Friday

1984, First Assistant Director - Film

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The Silent One

1984, First Assistant Director - Film

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Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence

1983, First Assistant Director - Film

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Savage Islands

1983, First Assistant Director - Film

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Utu

1983, First Assistant Director - Film

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Battletruck

1982, Boom Operator - Film

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Close Up - Utu

1982, Subject - Television

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Making Utu

1982, Subject - Television

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Learning Fast

1980, Lead Sound Recordist - Film

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Middle Age Spread

1979, Sound Assistant - Film

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Two Rivers Meet / Te Tutakinga O Nga Awa E Rua

1977, Camera Assistant - Short Film

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The Governor

1977, Boom Operator - Television

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The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

1977, Boom Operator - Television