As part of our Q&A series for local features playing as part of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival, director Tearepa Kahi reveals more about the making of NZIFF opening night film Muru, based on the 2007 Tūhoe police raids.
Describe your film in EXACTLY eight words.
Sgt. Tāwharau must choose between badge or community.
Fifteen years later, is there anything you think not enough people grasp about the Tūhoe raids and their impact?
The raid was avoidable. There were many other alternative pathways available, but that Government was compelled to put on a post-9/11 show of solidarity. Fifteen years on, the effects of that day still burn deep in the valley.
How did you use the dramatic licence of ‘inspired by’ to the film’s benefit?
By understanding two things: there wasn’t one raid on Tūhoe by NZ Police, but two. Muru isn’t a depiction about the 15th of October, but an attempt to ensure there is never a 15th of October again.
Muru has a terrific acting ensemble—how did your cast respond to your vision for the film and the story you wanted to tell?
With great trepidation. Lol. There was a powerful silence after our first read-through. Lots of nodding heads and lots of deep looks. We each committed to each other. And many cast members committed to Tame.
Tāme Iti has been many things in the eyes of the general public—and actor is another facet. What makes him such a compelling figure?
Tame is the most fully formed, well-rounded, sensitive, original and open-minded Jedi master I know. My main job was to give him the confidence that he could do this. And that we could do this together. Originality and true sense of purpose are always compelling character traits, of which, Tame has in spades.
With the resurgence of dog whistle politics, has Aotearoa really made any progress since the raids?
Aotearoa has come such a long way since 2007. But unless we continue to commit to knowing and fully understanding each other with honesty, there’s always risk. And if we don’t understand the past, the risk grows. Muru is an opportunity to connect and, hopefully, heal.
During production, what was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome?
Getting Manu Bennett out of Iceland, through COVID quarantine and onto the school bus for our Day 1 shoot.
COVID was a constant challenge, but it ended up being a blessing too. The world turned to custard and so many great filmmakers and storytellers returned home. During quarantine, we managed to pick up the services of one of the world’s best editors—John Gilbert—and stunt co-ordinators—Augie Davis.
For you, what was the most memorable part of this whole experience?
Making it through scene 100, with a full cast and crew alive and intact. Every film has a make-or-break scene, that has the potential to sink the entire ship and the efforts of everyone involved. But on our third week together, deep in the Waimana Valley, we were all at our best, and I think, managed to clinch it.
