Goddesses of legend find form
Debuting 20 years ago this year, Mataku was one of New Zealand’s most underrated series of the noughties.
Hosted by Temuera Morrison, it was essentially a Ma¯ ori version of The Twilight Zone, showcasing supernatural short stories infused with aspects of our indigenous culture and beliefs.
It also provided a showcase for Ma¯ ori actors to gain a wider audience, at a time when the alternatives were either the stage or Shortland Street.
Whether or not the creators of Teine Sa – The Ancient Ones (which debuts on Prime at 9.30pm on Thursday) were inspired by Mataku, they’ve managed to take the concept one step further, embracing the wider Pacific and ensuring there is multi-cultural talent behind the camera as well.
Award-winning playwright Victor Rodger and well-known directors Sima Urale and Toa Fraser have helped guide lessexperienced writers and helmers to bring these vignettes to life.
Fortunately, the five, roughly 10-minute tales are also terrific entertainment, closer to Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected than Rod Serling’s Zone, as each offers an absorbing mix of hot-button contemporary topics and Pasifika goddesses of legend.
Evildoers get their comeuppance in these morality plays, as they tackle sensitive subjects like internet dating, online sex videos and disregard for cultural values. Indeed, the two tales that bookend the anthology – Teina Sa and Ahi – are very much concerned with the trampling and exploitation of sacred, spiritual spaces, be they via an art installation, or a hotel development.
Tapuitea’s use of cameras to capture the callous Sal as he exploits his nocturnal activities with women for commercial gain is powerful, while Sina & Tuna’s date gone awry delivers the biggest emotional punch.
Young Elsie Polosovai’s performance is the main reason to check out the highschool set Hiama, the only one of the quintet not to highlight the versatility and screen presence of Frankie Adams.
The Expanse star does a magnificent job in crafting four very distinct and fully formed creations within such short chunks of screentime.
Teine Sa –The Ancient Ones debuts on Prime at 9.30pm on Thursday.