Loading Docs 2022 - Mana Over Meth

As a child, Jessica Apanui (Ngāti Porou) knew that she was Māori, but “didn’t know what that meant”. Disconnected from her whakapapa, she sought an escape from a violent childhood through methamphetamine. Instead she found herself robbed of her mana. After years of addiction, she makes a commitment to breaking the cycle of trauma and healing for the sake of her tamariki. In this short documentary, Jessica looks to her past to help guide her future. Mana Over Meth is director Holly Beckham’s second documentary on addiction among Māori wahine, following her 2021 documentary He Ara Anō. 

Warning: This film contains reenactments of drug abuse and addiction that some viewers may find disturbing and/or triggering. 

Rehab taught me whanaungatanga, tikanga, te ao Māori, and more importantly, opened up the doors to my whakapapa.

– Jessica Apanui

Key Cast & Crew

Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper

Composer

Carly Turner

Editor

Amy Boroevich (aka Hina)

Composer

Jason Crane

Cinematographer

Jessica Apanui

Subject

Holly Beckham

Director