Tama Tu

Name: New Zealand Film Commission
Price range: $

Every culture has its stories and its heroes. For us, the men of the 28 (Māori) Battalion are legendary. These were soldiers who owed no allegiance to a flag but fought and died in their thousands because they were warriors at heart. When they...

New Zealand Production

Short 2004 Comedy 18.00 minutes

Six Māori Battalion soldiers wait for night to fall in the ruins of an Italian home. Forced into silence they keep themselves amused like any boys would, with jokes and laughter. As they try to ignore the reminders of war around them, a tohu (sign) brings them back to the world of the dying. They gather to say a karakia (prayer) to unite their spirits before they head back into the dark of war.