‘Once We Were Warriors’ 1994
The film may come off as offensive to someone of Maori descent as it only portrays a stereotypical type of lifestyle. The story deals with the native heritage in New Zealand and how it meshes with modern everyday life. Many places throughout the world have similar issues that the movie addresses. Violence is common throughout the film, heritage is embraced in many forms (as well as left behind), and the setting is a poverty stricken area of low-rent government housing. There is a hint of positivity in regards to native culture in the end during the funeral, and also when the younger brother learns self-discipline in reform school.
The film portrays a family in the ruff area of South-Auckland, New Zealand. Jake ‘The Muss” is a tuff father, quick to his fists and has earned a reputation that gets him free beer at the local pub. His wife Beth struggles to maintain balance between Jake’s lifestyle and her family values. She also has to taking a beating from her drunken husband Jake, whom her traditional Maori family highly disapproves. The oldest son struggles to find his identity and joins a local gang (TOA), and is seen by his father afterwards who calls the gang losers. During a bar seen Jake says, “You should learn to stand on your own two feet, be more like your father.” The younger brother gets mixed up in trouble, and sent to reform school where learns self discipline and respect. The daughter is raped by a drunken uncle, and later commits suicide after her homeless friend kisses her with no ill-intent, only bad timing.
The Native people to New Zealand came from Polynesia around 1000 A.D. British settlement caused devastation for the Maori people similar the US and Australian Natives. The Maori were alone until the 1800s when British colonization began. They were quickly forced to rural areas and would stay there segregated, until after WWII when they sought work in the cities. One of the main traits associated with the local culture is the Haka dance. It is commonly performed as a war dance with the object of intimidating an adversary. This dance has many other forms and is not gender specific.
The film may come off as offensive to someone of Maori descent as it only portrays a stereotypical type of lifestyle. The story deals with the native heritage in New Zealand and how it meshes with modern everyday life. Many places throughout the world have similar issues that the movie addresses. Violence is common throughout the film, heritage is embraced in many forms (as well as left behind), and the setting is a poverty stricken area of low-rent government housing. There is a hint of positivity in regards to native culture in the end during the funeral, and also when the younger brother learns self-discipline in reform school.
The film portrays a family in the ruff area of South-Auckland, New Zealand. Jake ‘The Muss” is a tuff father, quick to his fists and has earned a reputation that gets him free beer at the local pub. His wife Beth struggles to maintain balance between Jake’s lifestyle and her family values. She also has to taking a beating from her drunken husband Jake, whom her traditional Maori family highly disapproves. The oldest son struggles to find his identity and joins a local gang (TOA), and is seen by his father afterwards who calls the gang losers. During a bar seen Jake says, “You should learn to stand on your own two feet, be more like your father.” The younger brother gets mixed up in trouble, and sent to reform school where learns self discipline and respect. The daughter is raped by a drunken uncle, and later commits suicide after her homeless friend kisses her with no ill-intent, only bad timing.
The Native people to New Zealand came from Polynesia around 1000 A.D. British settlement caused devastation for the Maori people similar the US and Australian Natives. The Maori were alone until the 1800s when British colonization began. They were quickly forced to rural areas and would stay there segregated, until after WWII when they sought work in the cities. One of the main traits associated with the local culture is the Haka dance. It is commonly performed as a war dance with the object of intimidating an adversary. This dance has many other forms and is not gender specific.
The issues faced throughout the film, are similar to those in the US in regards to the Native Americans. Each is a culture is grasping for air as it struggles to carry on its heritage. Violence abounds in low income housing areas and suicide is not uncommon. Alcoholism is at the root of many problems and unemployment is high. This is the case for many Indian Reservations throughout North America.
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