Ngati
Encyclopedia
Ngati is a 1987 New Zealand
feature film directed by Barry Barclay
, written by Tama Poata
and produced by John O'Shea
.
. The film is set in 1948 in a small town on the east coast of New Zealand during the impending closure of a freezing works and the threat of unemployment for the local community. Ngati was screened as part of Cannes' Critics Week.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
feature film directed by Barry Barclay
Barry Barclay
Barry Barclay, MNZM was a New Zealand filmmaker and writer of Maori and Pākehā descent.-Background:...
, written by Tama Poata
Tama Poata
Tama Te Kapua Poata was a New Zealand writer, actor, humanitarian and activist. He was from the Māori tribe of Ngati Porou. He was also known as 'Tom,' the transliteration of 'Tama.'-Background:...
and produced by John O'Shea
John O'Shea (director)
John Dempsey O'Shea was a New Zealand independent filmmaker; he was a director, producer, writer and actor.He was active from 1940 to 1970, and in 1952 set up Pacific Films in Wellington with Roger Mirams...
.
Production
Ngati is of historical and cultural significance in New Zealand as it is the first feature film written and directed by Māori. Producer John O'Shea, an icon in New Zealand's film industry, was the founder of independent film company Pacific FilmsPacific Films
The Pacific Film Unit was established in Wellington, New Zealand in 1948 by ex-National Film Unit staff Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams. At this time most films produced in New Zealand were documentaries made by the government’s National Film Unit...
. The film is set in 1948 in a small town on the east coast of New Zealand during the impending closure of a freezing works and the threat of unemployment for the local community. Ngati was screened as part of Cannes' Critics Week.
Synopsis
In a remote seaside village, an Australian doctor becomes involved in public and personal crises.Awards
- Best Film, Taormina Film Festival, Italy
- Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Male Actor (Wi Kuki Kaa): 1988 New Zealand Listener Film & Television Awards