Once Were Warriors

A drama about a Maori family living in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.

Cast

Rena Owen

as Beth Heke

Temuera Morrison

as Jake Heke

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

as Grace Heke

Julian Arahanga

as Nig Heke

Taungaroa Emile

as Mark 'Boogie' Heke

Rachael Morris Jr.

as Polly Heke

Joseph Kairau

as Huata Heke

Cliff Curtis

as Bully

Pete Smith

as Dooley

George Henare

as Bennett

Reviews

Filipe Manuel Neto

**The power and importance of cultural roots.** This was the first New Zealand film I saw, at least as far as I remember and am aware of that. It's a violent film, with a raw brutality that shocks us by how authentic it sounds. Domestic violence? Child rape? It's not something you only see in the...

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