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Once Were Warriors

1994

Lee Tamahori

Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga ...

7.1

2,004

Drama Once Were Warriors is a powerful and deeply affecting story of a contemporary Maori family in urban New Zealand. This debut film by Lee Tamahori has become a tremendous success in its native New Zealand, the highest-grossing film in the country's history, surpassing The Piano and Jurassic Park. Beth Heke (Rena Owen) is a feisty, beautiful mother of five who, after eighteen years of marriage, is still deeply in love with her volatile ... [+]

	Media	Author	Review
		Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle	"The film's story is both culturally specific and broadly universal and that duality is a large part of what makes 'Once Were Warriors' work."
		Rene Rodriguez Miami Herald	"There are moments in the punishing drama 'Once Were Warriors' that are supremely difficult to watch, but you can't tear your eyes away"
		Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times	"The director's key achievement is creating a convincing sense of daily life"
		James Berardinelli ReelViews	"'Once Were Warriors' works, to some degree, on three levels: the visceral, the emotional, and the intellectual, and it is the amalgamation of these that makes this a memorable film. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"
		Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader	"At once upsetting and highly involving, it packs an undeniable punch"

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