In 2001 New Zealander Paul Wolffram was in Papua New Guinea studying music for his PhD, when he began making films about the Lak people he was staying with. Fifteen years later he headed back for another film, utilising his connection with the Lak to undergo a gruelling initiation into the world of Buai magic. The experience involved dehydration, fasting and isolation over the course of more than 90 hours, with the intent of enhancing his creative powers. What Lies That Way had its world premiere at the 2017 New Zealand International Film Festival.