MAORIS ON SCREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 689, 14 June 1929, Page 1

MAORIS ON SCREEN

CHANTS AND DANCES IN SOUND FILM FINE AMERICAN PICTURE ‘‘This rare human document is dedicated to the people of New Zealand," says the producer, Mr. Lew Collins, by way of preface to Universal’s sound film, “Taranga,*' the first Maori picture to be produced by an American company. PILMED in New Zealand, mainly in the Whakatane and Wairakei districts, “Taranga” has a Maori legend for its theme, and the story is handled with delicacy and attention to detail, the cumulative effect being most convincing.

In a prologue spoken by Miss Bathie Stewart, a New Zealand film actress, the object of the picture is explained. Miss Stewart, with true love of country, was desirous of having a permanent record made of Maori chants ana dances, in tne film her hopes are realised, for a vivid record is made of the dances, and the tender beauty of the Maori chants and songs is finely reproduced. The success of these recordings is due to the discriminating supervision cf Miss Stewart. Although tne picture was photographed in the Dominion, the sound sections were made in Hollywood with the aid of a Maori troupe. These sound effects were later synchronised with scenes taken "on location.”

"Taranga,” apart from its effects, is a remarkable Maori film. The scenes are treated on a large scale, and five representatives of the race have been chosen to play the principal parts. Their manner is unaffected, and there is engaging sincerity in their acting. The heroine, Princess Miro, is played, by Patiti War brick, Prince Kangi by John Keepa, Chief Te Kahu by Abraham Wiari, and the hero by Peter Warbrick. The story concerns itself with the conflicts between two tribes living under the shadow of a volcano. First there is friendly commingling, and later comes battle. There is also a little spicing of love interest. The picture was privately screened : today, and it is sure to be a successful j attraction when the public has an opi portunity of seeing it.