Pluck

Jean Neshausen is determined to finish her most special korowai yet, but unfortunately, she's up against declining health. A large amount of feathers is required to make korowai (traditional hand-woven Māori cloaks), so Jean collects road kill, unfurls $2 feather dusters and has dead birds delivered by locals. Between four rounds of chemotherapy, a determined Jean returned to the Chatham Islands to source feathers for her daughter's korowai. It ended up taking two trips to the Chathams, feathers from around 60 weka, and almost two years to complete. Jean died in September 2020 after a long battle with cancer. 

When the korowai surrounds you, it’s just like you're bulletproof, you're 10 foot tall. It’s the most amazing feeling. It’s like you float when you walk.

– Jean talks about the magic of the korowai

Key Cast & Crew

Julie Alp

Editor

Gareth Van Niekerk

Sound Mix

Maree Sheehan

Sound Design, Composer

Viv Kernick

Sound, Co-Director, Writer

Kirsty Griffin

Co-Director, Producer, Camera, Editor

Elayne Chan

2D Illustrations