Category: Movies Movie- MURU (8.00pm)

Inspired by actual events, MURU is the story of a local Police Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tāwharau (Cliff Curtis), who must choose between duty to his badge or his people, when the Government invoke antiterrorism powers to launch an armed raid on Taffy’s remote Urewera community, on a school day.
Tearepa Kahi (Mt Zion) directs this Aotearoa action thriller based on the 2007 Tūhoe police raids. Stars Cliff Curtis, Simone Kessell (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Manu Bennett (Arrow), Jay Ryan (It: Chapter Two) and Tame Iti as himself.

Taffy’s father’s close associate, Tame Iti runs a series of boot camps in the valley called ‘Rama’ (fire light). These camps are centred around survival skills and to keep their shared Tūhoe identity alive. Despite many invitations, Taffy has never attended Camp Rama. Unknown to everyone in the valley, Rama has been under police surveillance for six months and when a troubled youth (Rusty) fires a loaded rifle, surveillance footage triggers a response, led by Captain Gallagher and an elite STG unit.

With pressure mounting to intervene, Gallagher starts to doubt the veracity of Tame Iti as a potential domestic terrorist. Tensions heighten when Rusty is caught in a domestic disturbance and rather than locking him up, Taffy takes Rusty to Camp Rama to deal with the situation.

While Rusty joins the Rama circle and learns about his Tūhoe identity, Taffy sees a dark shape beyond the campfire and gives chase.  Taffy pursues the runner through the bush and discovers a surveillance van. Gallagher steps out and confronts Taffy, ‘Are you with us, or are you with Tame?’ Taffy senses the danger to his community and chooses to help Gallagher facilitate a safe round up of Tame and other targets, but the Government betrays this agreement when Gallagher launches the Police Raid on a school day. During the raid, something goes wrong, leading to Taffy to make a bigger choice, ‘serve or protect’.

This gripping action drama is not a re-creation, but a response to the 2007 Tūhoe raids. MURU is a Māori concept for ‘forgiveness’.

Director: Tearepa Kahi
Cast: Cliff Curtis, Simone Kessell, Jay Ryan, Manu Bennett, Tame Iti
2022 M, Viol. & off. lang.104 mins NZ Jawbone Pictures

Movie screenings are running under the Orange Covid setting with face masks recommended.

Our theatre is inviting; cool in summer, cosy in winter. 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 café 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 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.

Online ticket sales for this event are closed.