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Tama Tū

Parental guidance recommended for younger viewers 2004 17m Short film
  • Drama
  • Māori
  • War
  • NZ History

Six Māori Battalion soldiers camped in Italian ruins wait for night to fall. In the silence, the bros-in-arms distract themselves with jokes. A tohu (sign) brings them back to reality, and they gather to say a karakia before returning to the fray. Director Taika Waititi describes the soldiers as young men with "a special bond, strengthened by their character, their culture and each other." Shot in the rubble of the old Wellington Hospital, Tama Tū won international acclaim. Invited to over 40 international festivals, its many awards included honourable mentions at Sundance and Berlin.

Key Cast & Crew

Profile picture of Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Writer, Director
Profile picture of Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis
Producer
Profile picture of Adam Clark
Adam Clark
Cinematographer
Profile picture of Rob Mokaraka
Rob Mokaraka
As: Māori Battalion Soldier
Profile picture of Te Kohe Tuhaka
Te Kohe Tuhaka
As: Māori Battalion Soldier
Profile picture of Jarod Rawiri
Jarod Rawiri
As: Māori Battalion Soldier
Profile picture of Tammy Davis
Tammy Davis
As: Māori Battalion Soldier
Profile picture of Taungaroa Emile
Taungaroa Emile
As: Māori Battalion Soldier

Related images

Tama-Tu-Gallery-1.jpg
A still from Tama Tū.
Kindly provided by the New Zealand Film Commission.
Tama-Tu-Gallery-2.jpg
A portrait of the main characters in Tama Tū.
Kindly supplied by the New Zealand Film Commission.
Tama-Tu-Gallery-3.jpg
A scene from Tama Tū.
Kindly supplied by the New Zealand Film Commission.
Tama-Tu-Gallery-4.jpg
A scene from Tama Tū.
Kindly supplied by the New Zealand Film Commission.

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