Film-maker aims to help break pattern
Film’s focus to open conversation
Ayoung film-maker is hoping to open up ko¯rero to ultimately save the lives of Ma¯ori men who are struggling with mental health issues.
Kararaina Keeti NgataiMelbourne is taking part in the Nga¯ Pakiaka Incubator Programme, and her short film, Nga¯ Riwha a Tama (Tama’s Scars), is premiering at the annual Ma¯oriland film festival in O¯ taki.
Helping wha¯nau overcome issues has been a driver of Ngatai-Melbourne’s storytelling.
“I wrote a story that was quite beautiful and close to my heart, which I didn’t think was something I could do. Just to be able to bring that whole idea and that whole story to life has been really special,” she said.
Ngatai-Melbourne hopes Nga¯ Riwha a Tama (Tama’s Scars) opens up a ko¯rero around mental health for Ma¯ori
men. Young Ma¯ori men have one of the highest suicide rates in Aotearoa.
“For Ma¯ori men, suicide is an epidemic with more than double the rates of any other group in Aotearoa,” Melbourne said. “This has intergenerational impacts as rangatahi Ma¯ori lose role models and follow them down the same path.
“As a Ma¯ori community, and within our wha¯nau, we don’t talk about this openly. It is often brushed off and pushed aside, allowing it to continue to impact our people.
“What makes this film so special to my heart is that it is a story that’s quite close to myself and my family.”
The idea for her short film came from her own observations and friends and cousins she looked up to growing up in Te Araroa.
“I noticed how much we would admire our older brothers or our older cousins and that made me think about how much those people have an influence on people’s lives.”
The story follows Tama, who admires his uncle, who he considers the best hunter on the East Coast. However, deep down Tama struggles to understand why his uncle starts to behave in a different and concerning way.
Ngatai-Melbourne hopes the film will teach and help others and also herself.
“There is at times a pattern that we are able to break and I want people to break that pattern. In making Nga¯ Riwha a Tama I want to open a ko¯ rero for our wha¯nau, particularly Ma¯ori boys and men.
“We don’t need to be staunch all the time, we can be mean hunters and mean opening up about how we’re doing.”
Her short film premiered at the O¯taki Ma¯oriland film festival yesterday.