once were warriors
...rocky mountains capped with snow. “Once Were Warriors” opening scene is just that, and for a moment you are fooled. It is a massive poster on the side of a highway. The camera pans down and unfolds a reality…of fast moving, industrial ghetto home to (forgive me) lower class indigenous Maori society. Its not harsh, but it effectively explains to the viewer to forget what you think you know, just sit a while and watch, because for some people – this is New Zealand, its warrior race. We quickly learn how this particular society is operating. A uni race ghetto set in Auckland where life isn’t easy and people struggle. There doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of ambition here. Grace asks her best friend who lives in a broken down car, “do you think we’ll ever get out of here toot?” he replies – “when I’m old enough to get the dole maybe I’ll fix up this car and get out of here”. I think we’ve established what opportunities these people have. The members of the Heke family each take their role in representing this particular society and culture. Jake (the father) is the liberal’s nightmare. He and his rough crowd portray all the ugliness in this film. The bar and alcohol is a key element in the story. It not only highlights the unpopular belief that indigenous peoples around the world i.e. Aborigines, Native Americans, Maoris etc. suffer from an inherent drinking disorder. It also acts as a catalyst for the recurring violence. One of the first scenes in the bar we see a fight break out where one “bloody huge Maori” clears fours guys in a whirl wind of fists elbows and head butts. This offers light amusement to Jake and his...