Taua

Last night I saw the New Zealand short film 'Taua' 2008, on Maori Television. Written and directed by Tearepa Kahi, 'Taua' - (War party) is a fifteen minute film set in Aotearoa in Pre-European times about rival Maori tribes at war. 'Taua' takes you on the treacherous journey of a Maori war party who haul a massive waka with the enemy leader bound to the stern of the canoe, overland and through dense bush to escape their pursuers. Two young boys sit near the stern, they serve as bailers of the water and water distributors on the land. Water is rarely given to the prisoner. It is the story of one boy's courage and his journey on the waka, as he risks all, motivated by giving water to the prisoner.

The film does not have any dialogue or music. There are sounds of the bush and the warriors moving and making noises while they grit their teeth with sticks. Images of the natural environment as the warriors navigate their way through the bush, along with their facial expressions were effective tools in immersing me in the tension that built throughout the film. The way the film was shot gave you a view as if you were following the taua. The audience was automatically involved, I was on the journey too. I wanted to know what would be the fate of the boy, the prisoner, and the war party. I was drawn to the imagery and beauty of New Zealand's native bush, the ornately carved waka, and the warriors with moko, traditionally dressed, with sticks between their teeth as they demonstrated the importance of sound as a psychological weapon. The central character of the film is a boy whose act of kindness cut through physical and political power while under the leadership of the merciless chief.

I've seen the film before and seeing it again was just as engaging and evocative. From a Maori perspective it portrays Maori in an authentic, positive light. The characters are believable and the plot has been written with cultural knowledge and integrity giving the film depth and accuracy from that period. The film is a snapshot of a taua's journey, transporting me to the time of my ancestors. It is well crafted and I see why it received national and international awards.

The film was loosely based on the Maori proverb 'Mate atu he tete kura, ara mai ano he tete kura' - (In war leaders fall and leaders rise), which is befitting for the theme of the film, that a boy whose act of compassion and bravery allows him to emerge as the leader and hero of the story.