Land of the Taniwha | Short Film

Taniwha: [Tanifa]
“Supernatural creatures in New Zealand Māori tradition, similar to serpents and dragons in other cultures, said to hide in the ocean, rivers, lakes or caves.”
Wiremu is an 11 year old Maori boy who misses his dead father and doesn’t get on with his new stepfather, John. John is having difficulty adjusting to his new role and frequently butts heads with moody Wiremu. At school, Wiremu asks his Te Reo teacher how to call a taniwha. What follows is a story of forgiveness and redemption.
Accolades:
Official Selection - Wairoa Maori Film Festival
Official Selection - Cannes Short Film Corner
Official Selection - The Wellington Public Cinema
Award of Merit - The IndyFEST
First Selection - Moving Pictures Festival, Belgium
Award of Merit - Elevation Indy Awards
Award of Merit - Accolade Global Film Competition
Cast:
James Crompton - John
Te Ahorangi Retimana - Martin - Wiremu
Corrdelia Haenga - Atawhai
Patricia Wichman - Meri(mum)
Deejay Williams - Te Reo teacher
Directed and Produced by Aidan Otene Dickens
Alex Arruda - Assistant Producer
Kyle Van Tonder - DOP
Raoul Darlington - Art Director
Roisin Kelly - Art Department
Sammi Kim - 1st AD
Scott Boswell - 1st AD(Classroom scene)
Emily Weiss - 2nd AD
David Chan - 1st AC
Ray Cho - 2nd AC
Maxime Viargues - Gaffer
Hughie Williams- Karaitianga - Soundie
Sam - Payne - Soundie & AC
Garth Robertson - Grip
Jayne Del Carme - Makeup
Jess Iwikau - Makeup
Milla Dickens - Script Continuity
Danielle Cole - Wardrobe Assistant
Tracey Olivier - Unit & Stills
Filmed in Auckland, New Zealand in Killarney Park, Unitec and Kyles place.
Thanks to everyone involved!
/ landofthetaniwha
illuminateproductions.co.nz
aidanotenedickens.squarespace.com
#landofthetaniwha #Illuminateproductions #Aidanotenedickens

[@chillisoda]

On behalf of all pakeha. If we ever speak to you or your tamariki like this fella. Fuckin deck us.

[@bramblebush2707]

fr. 2 mins in and dang Johns a dick

[@GummyBearsTopList]

As a Maori that can speak te Reo. With a whanau that are KAIAKO in the Reo maori. Maori based whanau. But raised by a pakeha man quite like this guy. I found this short film very relatable. The taniwha is our kaitiaki. And that man was trying his best to care for the whanau. But he did say "made up Maori story's" which was funny once the taniwha pulled him into the water. But still sad. Because he doesn't deserve to be taken by the taniwha. But it taught them two a valuable lesson. Don't say Maori stories are not real and don't ask the taniwha to drown somebody, no matter what. That won't be good to the kaitiaki. Look after our kaitiaki 💚

[@zenmasterbeats5068]

Yeah we need a taniwha movie

[@user-zm9rw7os9r]

i love ancient nz . i have sport shop called taniwa

[@larapalma3744]

❤❤❤
Underrated

[@cohenirwin7586]

Sister: Do you really want him to be eaten?
Wiremu: YES! AND SHAT OUT, and then re-eaten by the kahawai, and then SHAT OUT again, and then re-eaten by the wait bait which will be eaten by the human, and then RE-SHAT OUT, into the Long Drop, which will be Eaten by the snails and the worms....
DO YOU GET MY DRIFT SISTER?
#KillTheChildAbuser

[@vishvaabushan-tl5sg]

I feel sad about the oppression of the indigenous kiwis by the pakehas(europeans).
I hope justice is done and Maori people get their land back.

[@TheRedactedBlackbook]

🔥🐍🔥 Seen this a few times now! All class man! Love it!

[@teariinui5764]

Just use that in war yell taniwha protect the naval ship from the enemy

[@dead-fang4202]

Yeah 😎🤝

[@scorpiron9983]

Respect those that respect you.

[@guoyahan49]

Who else used this for English class

[@Snowman666]

Wanting to get my stories down for our Iwi is great as maori

[@fullsizeindustries2364]

O for Owesome

[@bentralhamo2811]

I wish I had a taniwha thatll take care of me cause I don't think I got anyone to be honest

[@nixghtmarelol3740]

A taniwha is a girl her heart was 💔

[@williamdrummond18]

Rude paheka dad! Teacher need to be dad !

[@poavao6832]

William Drummond Island and Maori director’s have a tendency to make white people look bad in movies lol

[@jahuatuku9275]

U don't ask kids that are no yours to call u dad it's something you earn

[@poavao6832]

@SWIZE1 I know bro. Hate that too

[@katahi0749]

What a Pakeha he is 😂

[@vishvaabushan-tl5sg]

@@poavao6832 White defensiveness.

[@clown-cult96]

Beautifully made. Love it!

[@KiwiBrew77]

Awsome

[@israelboakes6710]

Sad ending

[@bdpcharli4329]

nice!

[@louisemccully6321]

Hi, Could I get permission to use this video by embedding it in an online exhibit for ConZealand 78th World Science Fiction Convention? It will be run virtually in 1.5 weeks time; and the exhibit will be available to WorldCon members for a two week period. Thanks

[@Snowman666]

Hi you may the person may help me stories like this needs to be told

[@aidanotenedickens4949]

Whoops only just saw this, yes oh course you can but looks like I missed it,.

[@kingtipuna1221]

Good stuff

[@arianat7763]

I Know Right!!

[@MaoriChiquesFavz]

Yes

[@Hunylov3]

That's sad for the kids

[@demonboyytactivate2481]

He is so rude

[@nixghtmarelol3740]

Taniwha only eats man it's sad

[@lindonpaora]

My taniwha lives on Toitoi and goat. Lol

[@lenamatthews5629]

Who speaks like this

[@ctakitimu]

What a 'beta' step-father

[@Kclouzzzzz]

Maoooori stories 😂