Mysterious Ways

Mysterious Ways is maybe the best looking and sounding self-funded feature film Aotearoa has ever seen.

– Excerpt from review by Stuff reviewer Graham Tuckett, Stuff, 17 August 2023

Why take something so beautiful and make it so ugly?

– Aunt Nola ( Maureen Fepuleai ) on her nephew's dilemma

It will hurt all of us.

– The Bishop (Michael Hurst) issues a warning to priest Peter (Richard Short)

This film bravely confronts issues around sexuality and religion.

– Actor Nick Afoa, on the official website for Mysterious Ways

Most religions still see being gay as sinful. This does huge harm to millions of people in terms of self-esteem, family rejection, and legitimising hatred. A love story where God is on our side is a powerful statement that is needed now more than ever.

– Director and co-writer Paul Oremland on Mysterious Ways, in a 14 February 2022 press release

So many challenges besides the gnawing "can I do it?" Often it is simply that you don't have the experience at that scale, financing, marketing and distribution. Trying to bring in an overseas actor proved challenging during COVID-19 times but our timing of the shoot did coincide with the easing of restrictions, ie. no more quarantine, but we still had to have negative tests before travelling etc. The budget was the biggest challenge; working within a very tight budget attracted a crew that were for the story and the kaupapa.

– Ngaire Fuata on the challenge of producing her first feature, WIFT NZ website, 1 August 2023