- Genre
- Drama
- Year
- 2017
- Runtime
- 1h28
0
Waru
Eight stories. One community. Unbreakable bonds.
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Synopsis
Waru is a powerful and poignant anthology film from New Zealand that delves into the aftermath of a tragic event in a Māori community. The film unfolds through eight interconnected vignettes, each directed by a different Māori female filmmaker including Tanea Heke, and features a compelling cast representing various facets of contemporary Māori life. The story revolves around the day following the sudden death of a young boy named Waru, exploring themes of grief, responsibility, cultural identity, and community resilience with raw honesty and emotional depth. As each segment reveals unique perspectives from family members, teachers, friends, and locals, Waru highlights the social issues affecting indigenous communities while celebrating strength and solidarity. The film’s innovative structure and heartfelt performances profoundly humanize its subject matter without resorting to sentimentality.
Cast
Reviews
Critically acclaimed for its innovative storytelling and authentic representation of Māori perspectives, Waru holds a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the film’s heartfelt approach and cultural significance. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus celebrates Waru as “a moving mosaic of grief and resilience that resonates deeply.” IMDb users give the film a rating of 6.6/10, indicating generally favorable reviews from audiences who commend its emotional impact and cultural insight, though some viewers note the film’s vignette format may require attentive viewing to fully engage with each story. While Metacritic does not have a score for Waru, many film reviewers and festival audiences have lauded its direction and performances, highlighting Tanea Heke’s segment for its poignant nuance. Critics from The Guardian described Waru as “an important film that sheds light on indigenous experiences with authenticity and compassion,” and Variety applauded it for being “both a culturally rich and artistically innovative film.” Some critiques mention the film’s episodic nature might challenge casual viewers, but most agree it is an essential watch for understanding the contemporary Māori experience and broader social issues. Overall, Waru is recognized as a significant contribution to indigenous cinema and an emotionally gripping exploration of grief and community.
