Category: Movies Movie- MERATA: How Mum Decolonised the Screen (7.00pm)

Movie- MERATA: How Mum Decolonised the Screen (7.00pm)


June 16, 2019

Dominion 4/5 Stars "A fitting tribute to a revolutionary New Zealand film-maker"

NZIFF Official Selection

An intimate story of the birth of indigenous cinema told from the perspective of Merata’s son Hepi Mita. The sudden death of pioneering Māori filmmaker Merata Mita in 2010 led her son on a journey to uncover a story of a mother’s love that changed the landscape of indigenous participation in film forever. As a film archivist Hepi uncovers never before seen footage and shares deep personal accounts of her life that led her to blaze the trail for many indigenous voices we celebrate today; Warwick Thornton, Taika Waititi, Sterlin Harjo and Zoe Hopkins to name a few.

This film is an important historical account of a movement we owe our indigenous voice to. Merata was the first Māori woman to write and direct a narrative feature in 1988 titled MAURI. Merata’s political films highlighted the injustices for Māori people during the 1980’s and often divided the country.

She became an international hero with her work but considered a domestic nuisance. Merata worked across the globe and for various respected organisations including the BBC and National Geographic. She directed on Hollywood sets, interviewed Robert Mugabe and followed Louis Farakhan, there was nothing she was afraid of especially if it meant a voice for the voiceless. She was fearless. But the suffering of her family during these times was all too real. Her drive for social justice would have to be weighed against the dangers her work would expose them to. Merata Mita is the grandmother of Indigenous Cinema. This film is a dedication to her life’s work towards that goal.

Directed by Heperi Mita (feature debut)

Starring Merata Mita, Rafer Rautjoki, Richard Rautjoki, Rhys Rautjoki, Awatea Mita

Documentary, Festival & Independent | 95 mins Exempt | English and Māori with English subtitles | New Zealand


Our theatre is cosy and inviting. 2K Digital Projection with Dolby 5.1 Audio.

Our volunteers open the theatre doors and box office 30 minutes before the start time of each session.

Door sales if available from 30 minutes before the start of each session. If you want to check if seats are available phone 825 0023, from 30 minutes before the start of each session.

Due to our small capacity we recommend that reserves are made using the web reservation system as shown below.

There are no allocated seats. Arrive early to get the seat that's right for you from our eclectic collection of couches, reception and other chairs.

There is a cafe with juice, Bundaberg drinks, popcorn plus yummy food on sale. Most sessions are licensed with wine, cider and beer available.

Pay at the door by cash or EFTPOS.

The office is usually open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 2pm for pre-purchase of tickets or to pay for reserves.

We accept online reserve requests up to about 1 pm on the day of screening– provided the session isn’t already full.

Online reserves are available for payment from 30 minutes before the start of a session to 15 minutes before the start.

From 15 minutes before the start they will be resold if the session is full.

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Online ticket sales for this event are closed.