Aaron Smart (left) and Tim Worrall have made a three-minute documentary of life in the Waimana Valley. Photo / Supplied
Aaron Smart (left) and Tim Worrall have made a three-minute documentary of life in the Waimana Valley. Photo / Supplied
Tribe’s culture to be on show at international festival in Canada
International audiences will have the chance to see the "aroha of Tuhoe" as a documentary by two local film-makers makes it to the world's largest indigenous film festival.
Tim Worrall (Ngai Tuhoe/Te Arawa) and his cousin, Aaron Smart, co-directed the three-minute documentary The Road to Whakarae filmed in the WaimanaValley.
It was selected to screen at this year's imagineNATIVE festival in Toronto, Canada, on October 25. The festival is the world's largest indigenous festival showcasing compelling and distinctive works from around the world, and illustrating the vitality of native art and culture in contemporary media.
Mr Worrall said making the documentary was important as it allowed Tuhoe to be shown in a different light.
"The film is a celebration of where my family is from and it is really important to me as my home is a real source of richness and strength.
PLAY ON: A screen shot of the film Road to Whakarae.
"Utilising the technology available to us is a very powerful tool for our communities as it allows the opportunity to present our culture in the way we want to rather than what is shown in the mainstream."
The lyrics of the featured song Te Rori ki Whakarae, e tell of how the winding, dusty road is a special part of the mana of the Waimana Valley.
The same could be said of the various whanau and hapu in the valley who have retained much of what it is to live in a Tuhoe way.
Mr Worrall said this "spirit" was what he hoped to share in the film.
"I want people to experience the aroha of Tuhoe that I grew up with, not the staunch, fearsome perception that many people outside Tuhoe have."
Both men have extensive experience in the film industry.
Smart has been an editor for a top-rating television show and has produced a variety of short films and promos for various corporate clients and charity organisations.
He is currently working on another series of short films.
Worrall has worked in ta moko, graphics, carving, design and painting, which has included branding for the Rugby Junior World Cup and writing for Shortland Street.
He is currently concentrating on creating a bigger short film.
The Road to Whakarae is available online at loadingdocs.net.
