Short film The Road to Whakarae is built around a special place, and a special song. Keen to celebrate home and the joyful aspects of the Tūhoe people, local filmmaker/artist Tim Worrall and cousin Aaron Smart (whose wife is from the area) crafted a love letter to the Waimana Valley, by expanding an old Tūhoe party song about “a windy, dusty road” and inviting various locals to sing a section each. Made for online viewing as part of the Loading Docs series, the film starts with local musician and kaumātua Beam Titoko on guitar — and ends with a kiss at the marae.
The road was an essential part of the identity and the mana of the place. There’s quite a lot of precedent in waiata Māori of reinterpretation or people taking a song and using it in a different way.– Co-director Tim Worrall
Original song 'Ngā Rori ki Whakarae, e', composed by Metaha Rangi. Additional composition by Dave Hiakita, additional lyrics by Tim Worrall.
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