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Bonjour
koutou is a new phrase being used by Maori filmmakers and
artists visiting France this month. The group has been
invited to Douarnenez in Brittany to a festival dedicated to
ethnic minorities throughout the world.
The
Douarnenez Film Festival has been running for twenty-four
years. This year's theme - "The Maori of Aotearoa" - was
officially mooted when festival organisers visited New
Zealand this year.
The
visiting New Zealand group in France includes film-makers
Melissa Wikaire, Sharon Hawke, Moana Maniapoto and Toby
Mills, and artist Lisa Reihana. Maori author Patricia Grace has also
been invited to attend as well as carver, Riki Manuel.
Speaking
from Douarnenez, Wikaire says the response from the French
to the Maori exhibitions has been fantastic.
"When
we held the opening, there was a big media interest as well
as from the general public," says Wikaire.
"I guess it's
because they see us as being exotic. The only problem we've
encountered here is the language. Everyone is so friendly.
Also Douarnenez is a seaside town so we're enjoying all the
kaimoana (seafood) here."
The
Douarnenez Film Festival was set up in 1978 to highlight the
needs and aspirations of ethnic minorities through their
films and stories. Past festivals have celebrated cultures
from Quebec, North America, Ireland, Australia, India and
Spain.
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This
year's festival has Maori film footage, documentaries and
programmes provided by the New Zealand Film Commission, the
New Zealand Film Archives, Te Papa o Tongarewa Museum, Maori
Film and Television group Nga Aho Whakaari, and the people
attending.
Opening
night saw the showing of a silent film shot in 1906 called
"Sights of New Zealand" as well as a post-WWII film with
French voice overs about the return of the Maori Battalion
to Aotearoa.
A
collection of early New Zealand photos taken by the Burton
Brothers is on display, as well as Maori literature and
music.
Carver
Riki Manuel will also be holding Maori carving exhibitions
in Douarnenez Square with his apprentice Hira Young, from
Christchurch. They will be carving parts of a waka: taurapa
and paddles while working alongside Breton carver Emmanuel
Bourgeau.
In
all about thirty Maori films and programmes will be shown
including 'Mauri' by Merata Mita, 'Utu' by Geoff Murphy,
'Ngati' by Barry Barclay and 'Once Were Warriors' by Lee
Tamahori.
There
are also activities for children aged between 6 and 12.
Patricia Grace will be presenting some of her stories, and
there will be poi demonstrations.
Douarnenez
is a fishing port of about 16,000 inhabitants located in the
far west of Breizh (Brittany). Between 100 to 130 guests and
experts are invited each year to interact with local
artists, filmmakers and musicians - a working professional
rendezvous.
During
its twenty-four years, the festival has grown from a small,
local festival to a national phenomenon that attracts up to
20,000 people. Participants often come from as far away as
Germany, Australia and America.
Wikaire
says while the festival is a good opportunity to promote
Maori films, arts and culture to the European market, it's a
shame New Zealand doesn't initiate a similar
thing.
"It's
been a wonderful opportunity to travel half way around the
world to show our culture and film products but ideally it
would be good to have a Maori Film Festival in New Zealand
one day," says Wikaire.
For
more information, check out the website:
http://www.kerys.com/festival/english/
Douarnenez
Film Festival 18 - 25 August, Douarnenez, France. Contact:
wahine@ihug.co.nz
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