Once Were Warriors (1994)

R09/02/1994Drama1h 39m

A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than a mother's love.

Overview

A drama about a Maori family living in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Rena Owen

    Beth Heke

  2. Cast 1

    Temuera Morrison

    Jake Heke

  3. Cast 1

    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

    Grace Heke

  4. Cast 1

    Julian Arahanga

    Nig Heke

  5. Cast 1

    Taungaroa Emile

    Mark 'Boogie' Heke

  6. Cast 1

    Rachael Morris Jr.

    Polly Heke

  7. Joseph Kairau

    Huata Heke

  8. Cast 1

    Cliff Curtis

    Bully

  9. Cast 1

    Pete Smith

    Dooley

**The power and importance of cultural roots.** This was the first New Zealand film I saw, at least as far as I remember and am aware of that. It's a violent film, with a raw brutality that shocks us by how authentic it sounds. Domestic violence? Child rape? It's not something you only see in the movies. It's something you see in a newspaper. That's what shocks us the most: knowing it's something real. And I warn you now: there are violent films, but this one is really intense and shocking... a lot. The film takes place in Auckland, in a poor suburb built by the State for people with ver...