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Hero image for The Strength of Water

The Strength of Water

Film (Trailer, Excerpts, and Extras) – 2009

M
Mature

Released in Kiwi cinemas in mid 2009, The Strength of Water marked the big screen debut of Māori playwright Briar Grace-Smith and Pākehā director Armagan Ballantyne. The drama centres on a 10-year-old twin brother and sister living in an isolated part of the Hokianga, and the events that follow when they encounter a young stranger. The Kiwi-German co-production was invited to film festivals in Berlin and Sydney, after debuting in Rotterdam. The extras include interviews with Grace-Smith and the four main cast members, plus making of footage. 

We wanted the kind of rawness you get with non-actors who are just really being themselves.
– Producer Fiona Copland on casting first-time actors in many of the key roles

Produced by

  • Pandora Film

  • Filmwork

Acknowledgements

Produced by Filmwork and Pandora Film, in association with the NZ Film Commission, NZ On Air and Filmstiftung North Rhine Westphalia
Made with support from the Sundance Institute Annenberg Feature Film Scholarship

Music

Closing credits track 'Ti Hore Mai' composed and performed by Hirini Melbourne, arranged by Warren Maxwell

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