Once were warriors washed ashore in 1994 and became the main
example in defining Maori lifestyle in New Zealand:
“Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the
story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife
frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The
movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's
frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The
youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home
while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake's daughter has her own
serious problems which are a key element in the plot. Written by Chris Maslin
<maslinc@cad.canterbury.ac.nz>”
It basically depicts a Maori family in a low socio-economic
community facing problems of alcoholism, rape, gang affiliation and domestic
violence. I’m not saying that this movie is the only reason why Maori are seen
in such a way but it was and still is a form of reference to confirm people’s
everyday assumptions. Most ‘Maori’ films are seen with some form of aggression
or aggravation especially by the father towards his wife and children. These
primitive stereotypes depicting Maori as intimidating and aggressive humans
have been naturalized like every other ‘other’ seen in the media.
We find that Maori are directly and indirectly at the face
of domestic violence, gang violence and drunk street fighting. These
stereotypes are not based on the color of their skin but instead the ethnicity
they associate with or who people categorize them into (white males on police
Ten 7 who are of Maori descent). This deviant behavior isn’t as easy as black
and white but inadvertently claims that ALL Maori are aggressive. Because of
these assumptions if you do not fall into this idea of the angry Maori you are
called different or not like the others.
It has gotten to the extent that the traditional New Zealand
Haka is mainly described to others about how frightening it is to these who see
it. “You’ll
probably agree that it’s a terrifying sight to behold!” www.newzealand.com. We
don’t necessarily take into account the strong ancestral ties or the strength,
power and privilege that this ‘dance’ provides those who are performing and
those who are observing with true understanding. Instead it is depicted as
terrifying instead of emotional and moving.
The first New Zealanders are called “moa-HUNTERS” (which
could also be compared to the gang the head hunters) by archaeologists and
although you could argue that cannibalism existed: “These people were
apparently peaceful, for no weapons belonging to them have yet been found.” (teara.govt.nz). So
where did this aggression come from? What made Maori into alcoholic, sex
craving and abusive animals they are?
When you go overseas and say you are from Zealand. Aside from sheep, beaches, and nuclear free... Peter Jackson and LOTR. Once were warriors were mentioned in a couple of conversations I have had with foreigners. "whoaa you must be tough as!". Apparently the most violent scenes seem to be the most memorable which kind of paints a negative perception for the Kiwi Culture that we like to scrap it out, get drunk, abuse children. That is only for a small group of bad eggs, not the majority. OWW popularity with reviews and mainstream media, gives the international audience the idea that Maoris way of life is depicted in this movie.
ReplyDeleteI like how you have brought Once were Warriors to this course. As mentioned in past lectures of the aggressive native, I didn't think to apply it to Maori culture. It is true that Once were Warriors does show a more violent side of people, but this can and should be applied to all races. A lot of my Maori friends say they can relate to Once were Warriors, calling it the quintessential movie for Maori upbringing as a way to show that they are tough people. But for people looking from a non-Maori background the take away is different. Thanks for pointing this out!
ReplyDeleteI think the point you raised about Once Were Warriors painting negative cultural stereotypes about Māori or the 'other' are valid to deconstruct and understand what kind of generalizations or discourses about Māori culture and people this movie reinforces to foreigners. Many people who watch this form with no understanding of Māori values, practices, perspectives or history may leap to assumptions and generalize ALL Māori families to have a similar dynamic. Although this film does address real life issues, I think that many of the themes that are perceived as negative (alcoholism, abuse, violence, rebellion etc.) span across all cultures and ethnicities, and often wouldn't be highlighted as a defining feature in, say a Western family dynamic.
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