Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2020 – Te Whakairo
Two talented carvers from each end of Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the world’s largest marine protected area - The Ross Sea.
Interview with Director/Producer Vanessa Wells
Watch Te Whakairo here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was a last-minute replacement on the team to travel to Antarctica and as soon as I heard about their project to carve traditional Māori work at Scott Base, I knew there was a film to be made.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film gives a positive and uplifting view of the world of indigenous art and what we can learn from tradition about taking care of our planet. It is at the meeting point of science and art in the most beautiful place in the world - Antarctica!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal perspectives from top scientists and carvers on how science and art can work together, gives us a new way to think about the world around us.
This film is a gentle and lyrical approach to taking care of our planet.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
As a documentary, the story was a process of discovery, especially for myself (the director) as I was a last-minute addition to the team and knew very little about the world of whakairo (carving). I had however travelled and worked in Antarctica before and that knowledge helped a lot with operating in such a potentially challenging environment.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have been blown away with the response to the film - audiences have loved the gentle approach to such a massive subject as climate change, and the unique perspective of the traditional art of whakairo. Not to mention the stunning underwater footage of the charismatic megafauna! What's not to love about Weddell seals and Orca.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, I've been delighted that the story and the intentions have resonated so well.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The more people that can see the film and gain insight on an indigenous approach to climate change the better!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Journalists would be great - to get quotable reviews and help spread the word! Audiences love word-of-mouth and reviews. And I'm happy for it to be seen in as many festivals as possible! :)
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
If we can change peoples perceptions of how indigenous societies and scientific communities can co-exist and in fact thrive in collaboration, I would be a very happy director!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How does western science co-exist with a traditional Māori world view?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thanks so much for supporting our beautiful short film - we are so proud of it!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The carvers are continuing their work on major commissions based in New Zealand, and the film's director is currently in development on a feature documentary based in Antarctica and New Zealand, also on climate change, which challenges humanity's carbon addiction.
Interview: June 2020
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
Te Whakairo
Two talented carvers from each end of Aotearoa take their whakairo (carving) to Antarctica in response to New Zealand's kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the world’s largest marine protected area - The Ross Sea.
Length: 13:45
Director: Vanessa Wells
Producer: Vanessa Wells
Writer: Vanessa Wells, James York and Poutama Hetaraka
About the writer, director and producer:
VANESSA WELLS is a New Zealand based documentary filmmaker, and her debut feature East To East premiered at NZIFF in 2018. Filming in Antarctica in 2019 set her work in a new direction and the short film Te Whakairo was completed in August 2019. Vanessa is currently working on The Climate Canary - a feature documentary based in Antarctica and New Zealand.
This short documentary film was made collaboratively, with full involvement from all interviewed.
Key cast: James York, Poutama Hetaraka, Te Warihi Hetaraka, Dr Priscilla Wehi, Fayne Robinson, Dr Regina Eisert
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Elanti Media
Twitter: @vanessawells_nz
Instagram: @vanessawells_nz
Hashtags used: #tewhakairo
Website: www.elantimedia.com
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Melbourne Documentary Film Festival / Melbourne / from June 30th