Short Film – NARRATIVE DRAMA 2020

WATCH IT HERE

Synopsis

The day starts differently for Aroha today. She is a girl on a mission, in the darkness of her room, she packs her back, with all her important needs for her day ahead. Aroha makes her way out into the chilly morning. She stands in the driveway, she knows where she is going. We don’t see what she is doing, but as the morning takes light, her urgency increases. At the same time movement in her house. Lights flick on, doors open and close, muffled conversations happen. Dad leaves for work. Aroha carries on with her project.
Mum calls for Maria to get up and get her sister ready too. Aroha is not in the house. Where could she be? The park? She chased a butterfly there yesterday. The lake? She likes feeding the ducks. Mum and Maria split up, they search the neighbourhood. Aroha looks at her project as the sun climbs over the hills. Sun streams down the street. Aroha hears a call from behind her. Maria has found her. Aroha happy with her work, packs her back ready to go home. But not before casting a magic spell. Maria expresses that everyone is unhappy with Aroha, and she is making everyone late for work and school. They get home to a very unhappy mum. Maria walks Aroha to school. They walk the street where Maria found her that morning. Maria, earbuds in, texting and scanning Instagram, doesn’t take notice of the ahppy talkative Aroha. Aroha stops to talk to people outside their homes. Maria turns to see Aroha is no longer at her side. Aroha is watching as the neighbours interact with her creations. The street comes to life with imagination and play. Happy, Aroha carries on with her day.

Introducing

Iti Pounamu Peyroux as **Aroha**
Hineteariki McCorkindale as **Maria**
Anaru Barton as **Dad**
***and***
Amanda Billing as **Mum**

CREDITS

Written & Directed by Nicholas Riini
Producers Diana Baynton & Nicholas Riini
Director of Photography George Hennah
Editor Francis Glenday
Steadicam/Camera Assistant Dusty Millar
Gaffer Lee Scott
Sound Recordist Alf Rose
Wardrobe Dorhryen Allen-Heremia
Make-up Monique Taylor
Chalk Illustrators Anaru Ranapia & Evelyn Crawford
Animation Francis Glenday
Post Sound Steve Green
Colour Grade David McLaren

CAST

Iti Pounamu Peyroux as Aroha
Hineteariki McCorkindale as Maria
Amanda Billing as Mum
Anaru Barton as Dad
Barbara Seccombe as Voice of Barbara
Nicholas Riini as Voice of Hēmi

Short Film – NARRATIVE DRAMA 2018

watch IT HERE

Synopsis

Koro sits in his car. War medals, pinned to his suit, lie in his lap. He is lost in the thought of another ANZAC service. Koro’s thoughts are interrupted when his grandsons, Whenua and Soul, bang into the car, fighting over Whenua’s phone. The phone pumps out battle sounds from a digital war game.
The sounds of war jar Koro’s memory of his days in the jungle during the Vietnam war, and he is catapulted back to that time, the fear and torment move him to find a safe haven. But, Whenua and Soul get caught in the crossfire of Koro’s memories, as Koro tries to protect his comrades, Timoti and Maaka. Soul and Whenua are confused, shaken and injured, while Koro feels anguish and shame that he has not protected them.
A new day dawns for Koro and his whānau. Soul joins Koro in his car and reconciles the events from yesterday, forgiving Koro for hurting him. As Soul and Whenua leave on the school bus, Koro joins them, hoping to make it to the dawn ANZAC service.

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Introducing

Soul Gates-Paul (middle) as **Soul**
Whenua Peri (right) as **Whenua**
Nicky Gates-Paul as (left) **Susan**
**and**
Jim Moriarty as **Koro**
*[Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kanungunu]*
Jim Moriarty's screen career has ranged from 70s soap *Close to Home* and Rowley Habib's *The Protestors*, to starring in mock- doco *The Waimate Conspiracy* and playing Dad in The Strength of Water. Committed to theatre as a tool for change, he has often worked with troubled youth (eg 2003 documentary Make or Break). Moriarty's directing work includes TV's *Mataku*, and a stage musical of *Once Were Warriors*.

CREDITS

Written & Directed by Nicholas Riini
Producers Simone Ashton & Nicholas Riini
Executive Producer Ainsley Gardiner
Director of Photography Raymond Edwards
Production Designer Jannine Spiers
Costume Designer Simone Ashton
Hair & Make-up Designer Polly Jones-Morris
Production Sound Recordist Alf Rose
Editor Pablo Araus & Taoitekura Eruera
First Assistant Director Anton Steel
Script Supervisor Amanda Aitken
Directors Assistant Kyann Gates
Producers Assistant De Baynton
1st Assistant Camera Jamieson Montgomery
Stills Photographer Dyego Continas
Gaffer Dyego Continas
Digital Colourist Hannah Walker
Sound Designer Joel Anscombe-Smith
Music Shadow of a Man by Firefly Music

CAST

Soul Gates-Paul as Soul
Whenua Peri as Whenua
Nicky Gates-Paul as Susan
Jim Moriarty as Koro