individual,suicide,rape,strong woman,tattoo,slum,funeral,alcohol,tradition,approved school ,loss of loved one,despair,indigenous,ghetto,violent husband,new zealand,maori,lack of prospects,maori tradition,teacher,youth gang,crush,domestic violence,rebellious youth,alcohol abuse,incest,unemployment,auckland

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Poster for Once Were Warriors

A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than a mother's love.

A drama about a Maori family living in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.

Cast & Crew

Director
Lee Tamahori
  • Profile picture of Rena Owen
    Beth Heke Rena Owen
  • Profile picture of Temuera Morrison
    Jake Heke Temuera Morrison
  • Profile picture of Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    Grace Heke Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
  • Profile picture of Julian Arahanga
    Nig Heke Julian Arahanga
  • Profile picture of Taungaroa Emile
    Mark 'Boogie' Heke Taungaroa Emile
  • Profile picture of Rachael Morris Jr.
    Polly Heke Rachael Morris Jr.
  • Profile picture of Cliff Curtis
    Bully Cliff Curtis
  • Profile picture of Pete Smith
    Dooley Pete Smith

Videos

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Keywords

  • individual
  • suicide
  • rape
  • strong woman
  • tattoo
  • slum
  • funeral
  • alcohol
  • tradition
  • approved school
  • loss of loved one
  • despair
  • indigenous
  • ghetto
  • violent husband
  • new zealand
  • maori
  • lack of prospects
  • maori tradition
  • teacher
  • youth gang
  • crush
  • domestic violence
  • rebellious youth
  • alcohol abuse
  • incest
  • unemployment
  • auckland