‘Utu’—an adventurous effort at N.Z. film-making

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 14

‘Utu’—an adventurous effort at N.Z. film-making

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Geoff Murphy, already the director of one of New Zealand’s most successful films, “Goodbye Pork Pie,” has taken on a much more adventurous task in tbe making of “Utu,” which begins at the Regent tomorrow. Murphy is a very individual, independent person and film-maker. He proves this again by making the most expensive film ever made in this country on purely New Zealand money and talent. (Forget “Yankee Zephyr,” for which most of the finance and leading actors came from overseas.)

There is little doubt that “Utu” is the most ambitious movie ever made here and, with the help of this country’s talent it certainly deserves to do well. Although there has been much publicity for the film already, it is a fact that very few people are aware of what the title, “Utu,” means: The term, “Utu,” has a number of meanings. It can mean “revenge” — an eye for an eye. It also bas the more positive meaning of reciprocation, balance, even the idea

of “I love you too." It could also mean compensation or payment. There is a “Wanted,” poster of the last century which offered “ £lOO Utu — Dead or Alive” for the delivery of a criminal. As important as its meaning is the code of behaviour that surrounds it. When Utu is due, it must be paid. There is no choice in the matter. The gods and the people expect it. It is therefore a supremely moral act and as inevitable as destiny. It is Utu.

The fact that this did not happen is due, to a large degree, to the Maoris’ own will to fight back: and however uncomfortable it may make the pakeha majority in the 1980 s, the Maori spirit is probably stronger today than at any time since the’ Land Wars.