Sonja has a korero with screen writer and director Tim Worrall ( Ngai Tuhoe, Te Arawa). Tim
is the screenwriter for the new cinematic epic Ka Whawhai Tonu, and this episode fits in well
with our last two about Maori cinema and the importance of its history,growth and future and
the Tino Rangatiratanga of the art form for indigenous practitioners.Tim shares his personal
stories from his beginnings working on Whale Rider, to Maori television pioneering programs
such as Vegas and Head High and even the iconic Shortland Street, a diverse and rich
career that has led to writing KWT, the first Maori film with 95% Te reo Maori spoken in it.
Tim shares his experiences as a screenwriter, the highs and the lows, and the rewards, and
kaupapa of his journey: “it really requires resilience and passion and large doses of
self-belief and leaning into our own systems”. The “systems” he refers to are the “practising
of our own Tino Rangatiratanga- our own self-determination” and the collectivization of
indigenous community in the creation of authentic storytelling.
This is an awesome and inspiring korero with one of Aotearoa’s most gifted writers for the
screen!
Nga mihi nui to Tim Worrall from all of us here at PX Whanau for sharing your knowledge for
this episode.
Links: Tim Worrall | NZ On Screen
Tim Worrall: Tūhoe storyteller | E-Tangata
Ka Whawhai Tonu (nzfilm.co.nz)