Purapurawhetu tells the story of a small community that has a painful, unacknowledged past which affects the present internal politics and hence cannot move on. Where have all the people gone? They have left because the place is full of sadness and no one knows why. A mysterious old woman comes into town one day while a young man tries to complete a tukutuku panel in time for the opening of the local marae. This woman reveals to him the hidden secrets and jealousy of times gone by; of a painful loss and why the old kaumatua is so broken. As the tale tumbles out, the tukutuku panel continues to be woven but will not be completed unless the loss is recognised, there is forgiveness, redemption and eventually healing.
The six-part series is an original concept for Maori theatre and New Zealand television that brings feature-length Maori plays to the small screen for the first time.
Boasting a dream team of New Zealand’s film industry talent – producers Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe; actors Keisha Castle-Hughes, Paolo Rotondo and Rob Mokaraka; actor/ director Rawiri Paratene; directors Tammy Davis and Rachel House - ATAMIRA is an exciting blend of creative disciplines. The series premieres on Wednesday, 25 April at 12.10pm with the critically acclaimed Strange Resting Places, a story about a young Maori soldier and an Italian deserter in WWII. The five remaining plays will screen on Sundays at 8.30pm.
The six plays are:
• Strange Resting Places by Paolo Rotondo and Rob Mokaraka
• Awhi Tapu by Albert Belz
• Purapurawhetu by Briar Grace-Smith
• When Sun And Moon Collide by Briar Grace-Smith
• Irirangi Bay by Riwia Brown
• The Prophet by Hone Kouka
Each of the episodes provides a unique perspective of both historical and contemporary New Zealand and also features a behind-the-scenes look at the each of the plays. ATAMIRA is the brainchild of award-winning production house Black Inc Media and Taki Rua Productions, New Zealand's leading Maori theatre company.
Executive producer Bailey Mackey says the series aims to bring theatre and contemporary Maori stories to a wider audience. “We want to bring the magic of theatre to a traditionally non-theatre-going audience.”
maoritelevision.com
'Joshua was special, the chosen one, the prophet. Five teenage cousins have returned home for another cousin's unveiling. Over the three days there, they begin to deal with the new roles they must accept as adults. '
'... a compelling piece of New Zealand theatre.' Dominion Post
'Hone Kouka achieved early recognition with his plays on Maori themes as the youngest playwright to win the Bruce Mason Award. Hone has been widely acclaimed as one of the most exciting playwrights to emerge in New Zealand.'
huia.co.nz