The Graffiti of Mr Tupaia

In this short film, a Cook Island school cleaner (Whale Rider's Rawiri Paratene) responds to an unusual graffiti message on a girls’ toilet wall, with life-changing consequences for him and the mysterious author. Paratene's performance won him a Qantas Film and TV Award; the film also won Best Short and Screenplay (Paul Stanley Ward). Tupaia travelled to more than 15 festivals and director Chris Dudman was nominated for a Leopard of Tomorrow (Best Short) at Locarno. Dudman, Ward and producer Vicky Pope teamed up on another short film success, Choice Night (2010).

I want to die.

– The graffiti message that kick-starts the plot

Key Cast & Crew

Paul Stanley Ward

Writer

Rawiri Paratene

As: Mr Tupaia

Chris Dudman

Director

Vicky Pope

Producer

Kip Chapman

As: Dave

Kirstie O'Sullivan

As: PE Teacher