A moving tribute to this exceptional filmmaker and a crash course in Māori cinema.
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A documentary portrait of the pioneering indigenous filmmaker and activist Merata Mita, MERATA is an intimate tribute from a son about his mother that delves into the life of the first woman in the world from an indigenous nation to solely direct a film. Known as the grandmother of indigenous cinema, Merata's independent political documentaries of the 70's and 80's highlighted injustices for Maori people that often divided the country. She was fearless in her life, her activism and her art. MERATA chronicles the her journey to decolonize the film and television screens of New Zealand and the world.

MERATA documents the filmmaker's work, her early struggles with her family and her drive for social justice that often proved personally dangerous. Programmed as MERATA:

Director: Hepi Mita
Stars: Awatea Mita, Eruera 'Bob' Mita, Hepi Mita

Played at

Ahrya Fine Arts, 5.10.19 - 5.12.19
Rated NR
Runtime: 87 min
Language: English
FEATURED REVIEW: Nick Rocco Scalia, Film Threat
Like many filmmakers who dared to criticize the ruling class and dominant social order in the countries where they lived, New Zealand’s Merata Mita generated no shortage of controversy and animosity at home. Once the outside world had its chance to see her films, though, they w...