We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The Silent One

The Silent One

Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 1984

G
Anyone

Based on Joy Cowley's book, this award-winning children's drama follows the friendship between Jonasi, a deaf mute boy, and a rare white turtle. Jonasi lives in a Pacific Island village. When a drought occurs, the boy and the turtle are blamed and ostracised. Shot largely in Raratonga, this was the first New Zealand movie directed solely by a woman (Yvonne Mackay). Among those playing villagers are Utu star Zac Wallace, George Henare and Pākehā actor Pat Evison. Jenny McLeod's eclectic soundtrack won an NZ Music Award. In this excerpt, Jonasi is excluded from a boar hunt, and first meets the turtle.

The Silent One is about going to the limit and winning…about being special and about people wanting to take that away.
– Director Yvonne Mackay

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Telo Malase

Telo Malase

As: Jonasi

Generic Profile image for Ian Paul

Ian Paul

Cinematographer

Profile image for Anzac Wallace

Anzac Wallace

As: Tasiri

Profile image for Pat Evison

Pat Evison

As: Luisa

Generic Profile image for Rongo Tupatea Kahukuranui

Rongo Tupatea Kahukuranui

As: Taruga (the Chief)

Profile image for Yvonne Mackay

Yvonne Mackay

Director

See all 43 credits

Acknowledgements

Made in association with the NZ Film Commission and South Pacific Merchant Finance


Presented with thanks to the New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata

Music

Jenny McLeod’s soundtrack released by Jayrem Records

Soundtrack features the Wellington Regional Orchestra and the Bach Choir

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for NZ Book Collection

NZ Book Collection

This collection features screen adaptations from New...

Thumbnail image for Whale Rider

Whale Rider

Another film involving a child and a sea creature

Thumbnail image for The Sea Child

The Sea Child

A tale of a Māori girl and the sea from the same decade

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 3 - Gallipoli tortoise

Great War Stories 3 - Gallipoli tortoise

A tortoise caught up in war

Thumbnail image for Kaitangata Twitch - First Episode

Kaitangata Twitch - First Episode

Another children's drama directed by Yvonne Mackay

Thumbnail image for Drums Across the Lagoon

Drums Across the Lagoon

1960 documentary on Rarotonga

Thumbnail image for Closer

Closer

A short film featuring a deaf teenage boy

Thumbnail image for Frontseat - Who Can Play Māori

Frontseat - Who Can Play Māori

A report on actors playing people of other races

Thumbnail image for The Orator - O Le Tulafale

The Orator - O Le Tulafale

Another pioneering Pacific Island story

Thumbnail image for See What I Mean

See What I Mean

Documentary about the deaf

Thumbnail image for The Video Dispatch - 15 December  1983

The Video Dispatch - 15 December 1983

Features a tortoise

Thumbnail image for Savage Islands

Savage Islands

Another NZ feature filmed in the South Seas

Thumbnail image for Rangi's Catch

Rangi's Catch

Also stars a child actor

Thumbnail image for A Tall Long Faced Tale

A Tall Long Faced Tale

Also directed by Yvonne Mackay

Thumbnail image for Moana Roa

Moana Roa

A 1951 NFU film on The Cook Islands

Thumbnail image for Kiwi Flyer

Kiwi Flyer

A Kiwi kids’ movie

Thumbnail image for Islands of Light - South Pacific Dance

Islands of Light - South Pacific Dance

Short film celebrating Polynesian dance and haka

Thumbnail image for Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs

Also adapted by Ian Mune from a classic NZ book

Thumbnail image for Gather Your Dreams - Episode Three

Gather Your Dreams - Episode Three

More children's drama with George Henare

Thumbnail image for Old Man's Story

Old Man's Story

Another film directed by Yvonne Mackay

Thumbnail image for A Deaf Child in the Family

A Deaf Child in the Family

A documentary about deafness

Thumbnail image for Leo's Pride

Leo's Pride

Yvonne Mackay also directed this documentary

Thumbnail image for Fanimals, Series 1, Episode 10

Fanimals, Series 1, Episode 10

Kids series about caring for animals

Thumbnail image for Nia's Extra Ordinary Life  - Series One

Nia's Extra Ordinary Life - Series One

Episode three features another turtle tale

Thumbnail image for The Book Show - Series Two

The Book Show - Series Two

Features a Joy Cowley interview in episode 9