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Based on Alan Duff’s controversial best seller, “Once Were Warriors” is an intense and powerful film that leaves audiences stunned with its uncompromising insight into the strength of Maori culture in the face of degrading urban ghettos and devastating family violence. Jake (Temuera Morrison) and Beth (Rena Owen) have been married 18 years and she still finds him irresistible. Jake is a muscular, handsome man who exudes an explosive sexual energy but spends most of the time at the pub, often proving his masculinity with his fists and regularly exploding into rages that leave terrible scars on Beth and their family.
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Stream, rent or buy via
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
306618
Language
English
Audience classification
M (15+)
Subject categories
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Maori (New Zealand people)
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Maori (New Zealand people) - Ethnic identity
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Maori (New Zealand people) - Social life and customs
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Juvenile delinquents
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Children - Family relationships
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Family violence
Feature films → Feature films - New Zealand
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Alcoholism
Literature → New Zealand literature - Film and video adaptations
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)