11 year old Maori boy Wiremu doesn’t get on with his pakeha stepfather John, so he calls on a Taniwha to eat him.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Aidan Otene Dickens

Watch Land of the Taniwha here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Kiaora. I made this film for my Masters in Filmmaking, at Auckland University in New Zealand. I had this story floating around for a few years and it had gone through numerous drafts, had been shortlisted for, but missed out on, 10k of funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, and so I was waiting for the right time to make it. I knew I had to make a film for my Masters, so I decided on this one.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This is a New Zealand film about a boy who doesn’t like his stepfather, who calls on a monster called a Taniwha to eat him. It’s features unique elements from New Zealand Maori culture, including the Taniwha, and it’s a story about redemption, which I think everyone can relate too.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Themes of mis-communication and bullying are explored in the film, these are universal I feel and something that many of us can relate to. There are also themes of cultural oppression, which is explored through the interaction of the two main characters John and Wiremu. This is something I wanted to explore because of the history of race relations in New Zealand between Pakeha (descendants of British settlers) and Maori, and because of my Maori mother and Pakeha father. I’ve always felt a strong affinity to my Maori roots, and I wanted to explore this in the film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script has been through a lot of drafts to ultimately get where it is now. The original was a lot darker, with no redemption, and John was a lot more of a bully. I had some life changing events happen last year which changed my perspective on everything, including the script, and so I decided to tell a more hopeful story. With the help of my friend Tanya Wheeler, we redeveloped the script into something that I was happy with.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been great so far and I’m really happy with it. We have our first public screening coming up and I’m really looking forward to hearing what people have to say about it.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I’ve definitely found that people seem to have different opinions on certain elements of the film, which is not challenging, but is definitely interesting and not what I would have expected. Most who have seen it agree that the themes come across well through the storytelling though, so that’s nice.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Increasing the visibility of the film and creating an awareness of New Zealand Maori culture overseas. I’d like to attract people to the idea of Maori mythology as something they’d like to see more in film, as it’s something that I’m very interested in. Bullying and miscommunication are things we see a lot in film and Television, but this film offers a different context that I hope will interest people and get them talking.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Producers, journalists and film festival directors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

It’s New Zealand debut is next weekend at the Wairoa Maori film Festival and I would like it to have as much of an impact as possible. I’m hoping that people will enjoy it as a story, but think about the issues that it touches upon, especially those related to the struggles of the main characters.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

One of the questions would be do you think the themes of the film transcend culture? I’ve written this film from a very New Zealand point of view, with very Kiwi characters and things specific to New Zealand, such as the Taniwha and ideas of a Kaitiaki (protective guardian), and I ask that those who view it to think about whether these ideas are things that could be relatable to their culture, wherever they might be from.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m working on developing my first feature film, based on a script I wrote awhile ago. I’ve just moved cities here in New Zealand, so I haven’t kept up with what the other key crew are up to as they’re a long way away now. From what I’ve seen on Facebook etc it looks like they’re doing well though, which is good to see.

Interview: June 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Land of the Taniwha

11 year old Maori boy Wiremu doesn’t get on with his pakeha stepfather John, so he calls on a Taniwha to eat him.

Length: 14 minutes

Director: Aidan Otene Dickens

Producer: Aidan Otene Dickens

Writer: Aidan Otene Dickens

About the writer, director and producer:

Aidan Otene Dickens is a New Zealand writer, director and producer of European and Maori descent. His films have been featured in festivals around the world.

Key cast:

Wiremu - Te Ahorangi Retimana-Martin

John - James Crompton

Meri - Patricia Wichman

Atawhai - Corrdelia Haenga

Mr Otene - Deejay Williams

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Producers, journalists, distributors, film festival directors.

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landofthetaniwha/

Funders: Funded privately.

Made in association with: Auckland University

Where can I see it in the next month?

Wairoa Maori Film Festival

http://www.kiaora.tv/shorts/2017/5/4/kiriata-koiwi