“Go and rouse your people… raise your weapons!” Transmission Films has revealed an official trailer for an indie film from New Zealand titled Ka Whawhai Tonu, directed by Kiwi filmmaker Mike Jonathan. Set in New Zealand in 1864, the film follows the story of a crucial conflict of the nation’s first land warfare, fought between Maori and colonial soldiers. The film’s full title is Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End: the historical story of the battle of O-Rākau as told for the first time from the point of view of the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, in their own language Te Reo Māori. Set in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1864, it’s 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 & their escape. Starring Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, Jason Flemyng, Miriama Smith, Matariki Whatarau, and Jack Barry, with Hinerangi Harawira-Nicholas as Kōpū. So far so good, all of this looks legit. ⚔️

Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for Mike Jonathan’s Ka Whawhai Tonu, direct from YouTube:

An action-adventure, coming-of-age film, set in the Māori – Colonial wars of the 1860s. On-the-run, a half-caste, traumatised boy-soldier, Haki, 15, is captured by Māori resistance forces preparing a last desperate stand against the might of the British Imperial Army. Held as a sacrifice, Haki’s life is forfeit until he befriends and is saved by Kōpū – a teenage girl who is a reluctant medium for a war god. Ka Whawhai Tonu is directed by Kiwi filmmaker Mike Jonathan, director of the doc films The Road to the Globe and Freezing Works previously, making his first narrative feature, after also directing the series “Kairaakau” and many other short films. The screenplay is written by Tim Worrall. It’s produced by Piripi Curtis and Toby Parkinson. This hasn’t premiered at any festivals or elsewhere, as far as we know. Transmission Films will debut Ka Whawhai Tonu in New Zealand cinemas (all of “Aotearoa” in Māori) starting June 27th, 2024 coming soon. No other international dates have been set yet – stay tuned. First impression? Look any good?