Of Maoris and money

Press, 17 February 1983, Page 18

Of Maoris and money

Geoff Murphy, the director of two films as different as “Goodbye Pork Pie” and “Utu,” which is now showing at the Regent, is a man of strong opinions about many things.

The following quotes are from his ideas about Maoripakeha coexistence, and about Government Budget cuts in assistance to the film industry. First, about Maori relations:

“My philosophy, job, predilection, call it what you will, is to make this peice of fiction ring true,” Geoff said. “I want to draw a parallel between the conflicts of today’s New Zealand and those of last century. The real conflicts of this country have not really changed at all.

“What this film says is

that violence is part of the human social fabric. Even if it is not explicit in the film, the sense of it is there—it cannot be ignored. “That same violence is here today, it is just that the nature of it has changed.” The essential dialogue of “Utu,” he says, is the question of whether to take up arms and address injustices, or to join the establishment and try to work from within to counter oppression. “The film depicts the Maoris as a race that refuses to accept a second class status of citizenship. “So the.conflict that arises is not necessarily that of one race against another—though that is very much a part of it. but there are smaller conflicts within that on both sides.

“On the rebel side, you get conflict between Te Wheke and some of his own supporters who feel that he has gone too far. His violence is destroying his own followers and they • begin to turn against him.

“And we get. on the pakeha side, some soldiers who eventually come to believe that it is a bad cause they are fighting for; that militarily and culturally the enemy is equal and sometimes superior. So you have conflict on ail levels proceeding at once." The Maori concept of “utu” is a vehicle which weaves in and out of the story, helping to carry the dramatic effect of the film. But it is the human dimension that Murphy believes

will give the film broad appeal. About Government aid to the film industry, Geoff has this to say: “Since the 1982 Budget cut off the flow of private-sector money for film investment, there has been a lot of public discussion about the New Zealand feature film industry.

"It's still unclear whether the Budget has in fact killed the industry even though the noises emanating from some film-makers sound very much like a death-rattle. “However, it seems that in all the sound and fury about our need for. such an industry, and questions about how much it should cost, and how it should be funded, a much more important question has been forgotten;

“What sort of industry do we want? "It seems that we need one that is of some use to us. one that makes films that New Zealanders want to see . . .

This is asking a fair bit. “Any film is going to have to motivate people—lots of people—to turn off their TV sets, hire baby-sitters, drive into town, find” a park, queue and then sit for several hours in conditions that are sometimes less than ideal. Why should they bother? "If the film is good enough, strong enough—makes them laugh or cry or both, is about something they can relate to. is well-made technically and shows some dedication, commitment, even passion—then they might well bother. “In fact, experience shows that they will.

"On that basis, it will be the people of New Zealand who decide whether w’e need a film industry or not. “The 1982 Budget may be no more than a hiccup—a minor setback—a timely reminder to the industy that the world doesn't owe it a living. “But a film that works with the people who pay to see it is worth more than all the hours of political lobbying and impassionate debate.

"This. then, is the real challenge, and with “Utu.” I believe the industry has responded to the challenge. We've given this picture all we’ve got. “To the Government. I offer the strongest argument I can for its support of a New Zealand film industry," Geoff Murphy said.