We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.

Play

00:00

/

00:00

Captions

Volume

Hero image for Cousins

The trailer for this feature film

The first 10 minutes of this feature film

The credits for this feature film

The trailer for this feature film

The trailer for this feature film

The first 10 minutes of this feature film

The first 10 minutes of this feature film

The credits for this feature film

The credits for this feature film

Cousins

Film (Trailer and Excerpts) – 2021

Add to watch list

Pioneering Māori filmmaker Merata Mita spent years trying to turn Cousins into a movie before her death in 2010. The project was picked up by writer/director Briar Grace-Smith and director Ainsley Gardiner. The acclaimed feature is based on Patricia Grace's decade-spanning novel, following three Māori cousins in post-WWll Aotearoa — including Mata, whose removal from her whānau into state care profoundly affects each woman. Later middle-aged Makareta Pairama recognises her lost cousin on a city street, and memories of their shared rural childhood (as seen in this opening excerpt) flood back.

I tried to find you, Mata. We all did.
– Makareta (Briar Grace-Smith) encounters her lost cousin Mata (Tanea Heke) in Wellington

Key Cast & Crew

Ainsley Gardiner

Co-Director, Producer

Briar Grace-Smith

Co-Director, Writer, As: Makareta (older)

Rachel House

As: Missy (adult)

Tanea Heke

As: Mata (older)

Ana Scotney

As: Mata (adult)

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne

As: Makareta (adult)

See all 63 credits

Produced by

Whenua Films
Miss Conception Films

Source

Acknowledgements

In memory of Merata Mita, Nancy Brunning, Irihapeti Ramsden and Lindsay King

Made in association with the NZ Film Commission, NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho, Rotomā No. 1 Incorporation and Kiwibank, with assistance from the Screen Production Grant

Financed in association with Avalon Studios, Department of Post and Imagezone

Made with support from Script to Screen and the Merata Mita Fellowship

Music

Closing credits song 'Whakaaria Mai (How Great Though Art) performed by Teeks and Hollie Smith, composed by Carl Boberg and Samuel K Hine

Tags

Categories

More Information