Set in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1864, Ka Whawhai Tonu tells the story of a pivotal battle in the first New Zealand land wars in the Waikato region. A battle fought with impossible odds between Māori and the Colonial forces. This heroic conflict is told through the eyes of two young teenagers forced to take control of their own destiny amidst the chaos of the battle and their escape.

As we move ever forward into the future, it also makes sense to look back into the past to examine our history and recollect moments from the past. Ka Whawhai Tonu is a picture that holds to that focus of looking back on the past to examine where we are now, and director Michael Jonathan brings about an entirely epic production that captures the intensity, passion and violence of the Maori Land Wars. Told with an immense attention to detail and digging into the psychological complexity of the conflict, Ka Whawhai Tonu brings together a layered and complex narrative with multiple viewpoints that bring new light to our shared history, and it’s an important watch for audiences to realise where we have come from.

In bringing Ka Whawhai Tonu to life, director Michael Jonathan has an incredible cast from which to draw, and these performers, both young and veterans, bring an incredible level of depth to their characters and the truth of this picture. Ka Whawhai Tonu is told from the perspective of two children, Kopu (Hinerangi Harawira-Nicholas) and Haki (Paku Fernandez), who are on the verge of leaving childhood and entering young adulthood and this shock of war and the blood and horror that comes with it changes them in profound ways they could never have felt. Both Harawira-Nicholas and Paku Fernandez bring sincerity and depth to this tale of loss of innocence, and each invests the audience in the story. Ka Whawhai Tonu also showcases an outstanding performance from veteran actor Temuera Morrison, who digs in deep as he portrays the real-life character of politician and military commander Rewi Maniapoto, and Morrison brings considerable gravitas and mana to the production.

Ka Whawhai Tonu is an immediate and intense viewing experience, and it places audiences right in the trenches of this conflict and the fallout that follows it. Jonathan and cinematographer Grant McKinnon use a kinetic and fast shooting style, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere on set, and you feel history come to life as two forces clash in the making of a nation. Ka Whawhai Tonu is history come alive, and its visceral experience leads to a captivating watch.

Ka Whawhai Tonu is an important narrative film of historical drama and immediacy and is a picture worthy of your time. Performance and atmosphere capture a unique period of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s history, and all who witness it will be spellbound by its power of drama.

Image: Transmission Films

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Following his encounter with Ahsoka Tano, the Mandalorian, Din Djarin, and The Child, Grogu, venture to the site of an abandoned Jedi Temple on Tython, with the purpose of Grogu reaching out into the galaxy via the force and hoping to make contact with a lone Jedi who might be willing to train him. But ‘The Tragedy’, as its title suggests, is no mere picnic and soon remnants of The Empire are on the scene and the Mandalorian dives headfirst into a pitched battle to protect his charge.

If you’re seeking adrenaline then you’ve come to the right place with ‘The Tragedy’ as this episode picks up speed and doesn’t slow down for an instant. Maverick director Robert Rodriguez brings trademark Mariaichi energy to the Star Wars universe in ‘The Tragedy’ and the result is an episode that is packed full of intense action and incredible backstory and depth. It’s clear from the kinetic intensity of this episode that Rodriguez was having the time of his life getting to play in the Star Wars sandbox, and in addition to its action, ‘The Tragedy’ is one of the most poignant and heartfelt episodes of The Mandalorian to date.

Throughout the two series of The Mandalorian, a growing story of fatherhood has blossomed through this narrative and we reached a milestone moment with ‘The Jedi’. Now in ‘The Tragedy’, we see a more deeply intertwined interpersonal relationship between Djarin and Grogu. There is a deep love and cherishment growing between the two of them, and through Pedro Pascal’s depth as a performer, we are able to experience the deep love that Djarin has for Grogu and the extent at which he is willing to go to protect his son. Djarin has grown into his responsibilities as a parent throughout this series and in this episode, we really come to terms with how much Grogu means to him.

‘The Tragedy’ also sees the return of cult Star Wars character Boba Fett, who was teased at the conclusion of ‘The Marshal’, and who is portrayed by non-other than Temuera Morrison himself. Now a burly, scarred-up survivor of Tattoine, Morrison’s Boba Fett has been on the trail of the Mandalorian and together the two get involved in a pitched battle against The Empire. Morrison is an absolute blast to see on screen and brings his Maori warrior heritage to bear in a full-on close-quarter brawl that is EPIC to watch. Wielding a Tusken Raider’s Gaderffii like a Taiaha, Morrison takes apart a unit of Storm Troopers with bone-crunching ease and cements his place as a bonafide Star Wars badass in his return to The Mandalorian.

The stakes are certainly raised in ‘The Tragedy’ as Giancarlo Esposito graces the screen in full big bad mode as Moff Gideon and this embodiment of Emperial evil has a bone to pick with Grogu. His appearance is to the point and his interactions with Grogu are sure to send a chill down your spine, especially as he unleashes his prized possession, The Dark Saber, and sets his dark plan in motion. As a performer, Esposito has an ability to portray a certain kind of chilling evil and his return as Moff Gideon has bigger things instal for The Empire. Plus in a special opening scene bonus, fans are also treated to the possible presence of a being who may be none other than Grand Admiral Thrawn….

The Mandalorian took a big turn with ‘The Tragedy’, and our hero is now in a place where his courage will be tested. It’s about to get very interesting in The Mandalorian and this week’s episode was the primer we needed for what comes next.

The Mandalorian streams every Friday on Disney+

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Adapted  from the novel by Witi Ihimaera,  Mahana follows young Simeon Mahana (Akuhata Keefe), a young Maori farm boy who is coming of age in the late 1950s, and is being tested by his grandfather, the staunch and steadfast Tamihana (Temuera Morrison). But when Simeon stumbles upon a past tragedy, and the secret that has fueled the blood rivalry between the Mahanas and their enemies, the Poatas, for decades, it leads him to test the willpower of his grandfather and could lead to the ruin of everything that the Mahana clan have built for themselves.

It has been more than twenty years since Tamahori and Morrison first collaborated on groundbreaking New Zealand film Once Were Warriors, which introduced moviegoers the world over to Morrison’s intensely passionate and furious acting ability. Now in Mahana, he re-channels that intensity as gruff old clan leader Tamihana, who sees hard work and few emotions as the key to his family’s success. Morrison’s performance is uncompromising, and the strength of character he portrays, as well as the darkness at the heart of the performance, creates a layered and compelling screen persona that audiences will respect.

Cast opposite Morrison (and holding his own in every scene) is newcomer Akuhata Keefe as Simeon, the youngest male member of the Mahana clan. While not possessing his grandfather’s tough demeanor, Simeon makes up for it with a keen intellect and quick wit, which often lands him in hot water. Keefe is definitely a star to watch, thanks in part to one particularly intense scene at the local court which touches on the notion of Maori rights and freedom of speech. Keefe never backs away from the challenging performance set by Morrison, with the two actors coming to blows more than once. But audiences will come to experience the deep respect that both performers have for one another, and this results in great tension on screen.

Director Lee Tamahori has successfully combined a fierce and challenging script with a group of actors at the top of their game, resulting in another bonafide Kiwi classic and career best performance for Morrison. Mahana is not for the faint of heart, but the compelling story makes for intensely mesmerising viewing that serious film fans will appreciate.

Image: eOne Films

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