As a movie reviewer with a penchant for films that push boundaries and explore diverse cultures, I must say that the production of “Marama” has me truly intrigued. Having traversed the globe to uncover hidden gems in cinema, I’ve never come across a Māori gothic horror film before, and I can hardly wait to see how Taratoa Stappard weaves this unique tale.


Filming for the gothic horror movie titled “Marama” has commenced in New Zealand. This film is directed by Māori writer-director Taratoa Stappard, known for works like “Taumanu” and “Emkhatsini.” The production is happening across various locations around Auckland on the North Island as well as in the Otago region of the South Island.

In the year 1859, nestled in North Yorkshire, England, unfolds the tale titled “Marama”. This story revolves around a young Māori woman’s arduous journey to reclaim her identity and traditional culture amidst the strictures of Victorian-era Britain. The title is derived from the protagonist’s name herself.

The movie stars Ariana Osborne, a notable Māori actor known for “Madam” and “In A Flash,” in the main part. Toby Stephens, a well-known British actor from “Black Sails,” “Die Another Day,” and “Percy Jackson and The Olympians,” just finished shooting the project, joining Osborne on screen.

Additionally, the cast features Umi Myers (“Bob Marley: One Love,” “Dope Girls”), hailing from New Zealand alongside Erroll Shand (“Savage,” “The Luminaries”) and Jordan Mooney (“The Bluff,” “Pike River”).

As a cinephile, I’m excited to share that the film “Marama” is brought to us by Sharlene George, who, along with being the co-CEO and founding partner of the renowned production company The Sweetshop, has also worked on projects like “Taumanu,” “Testify,” and “Birds Eye View.

The movie’s other creators are Rickylee Russell-Waipuka (known for “Taumanu” and “The Untold Tales of Tūteremoana”), Rouzie Hassanova (renowned for “Radiogram” and “Song for Serbia”) serving as the Māori language & culture producer, Paraone Gloyne in the role of Pou Tiaki Reo & Tikanga. The executive producers are Victoria Dabbs and Gal Greenspan from Sweetshop Entertainment, Jill Macnab and Phil Bremner from Vendetta Films, and Badie Ali, Hamza Ali, and Greg Newman from MPI Media.

The film “Marama” received backing from several institutions including The New Zealand Film Commission, imagineNATIVE, The Black List, Toronto International Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival, and the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

The movie production involves collaboration with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Whakaata Māori, and Images & Sound. Once completed, Vendetta Films plans to distribute it across Australia and New Zealand. Global rights sales will be handled by MPI International.

Stappard, residing in the UK with roots in the Māori tribes of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Tuwharetoa, stated that this upcoming film will be challenging, graphic, and entirely distinct. He’s thrilled to pioneer a fresh genre: Māori gothic horror.

George mentioned that this movie offers something unique, blending cultural significance with a fusion of storylines seldom seen together. He expressed his joy about creating and editing it right here in Aotearoa, which helps root the narrative deeply within the landscape.

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2024-10-02 03:18