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Ruia Taitea: The World is Where We Are

Film (Full Length) – 1990

PG
Parental Guidance

This documentary looks at the life and work of acclaimed author Patricia Grace. Filmed at home, on marae and in classrooms, Grace discusses her writing process, her Hongoeka Bay upbringing, her children’s books, criticism of her work, and her Māori identity and belonging to the land (a theme of her then-recently successful novel Potiki). In particular she affirms the importance of writing from experience. The film features interviews with publishers and friends, and excerpts from Grace's stories are read and dramatised, including At the River, The Hills and Mutuwhenua.

The world is where you are. Where else can it be? What you do and what you listen to, and your experiences are the things of value to you as a writer.
– Patricia Grace on the importance of expressing your world, to a class of teenagers

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Barbara Cairns

Barbara Cairns

Director, Producer, Writer

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Faifua Amiga

As: Manu

Generic Profile image for Margaret Henley

Margaret Henley

Producer

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Alun Bollinger

Cinematographer

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Dell King

Director - Drama Sequences

Generic Profile image for James Anderson (actor)

James Anderson (actor)

As: Boy

See all 45 credits

Produced by

Nautilus Productions

Acknowledgements

Produced in association with The Short Film Fund of the NZ Film Commission

Financial Support from Electricorp NZ, Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Relations and Trade

Music

Vocals by Moko Te Kawa
'Waiting in the Sunshine' by the Holidaymakers

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