Poi E: The Story of Our Song
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Poi E: The Story of Our Song by Tearepa Kahi
NZL 2016, Generation
© Patea Film Collective Ltd.
![](/media/filmstills/2017/generation/201712812_2_RWD_1380.jpg)
Dalvanius Prime
Poi E: The Story of Our Song by Tearepa Kahi
NZL 2016, Generation
© Patea Film Collective Ltd.
In 1984 a Maori popsong topped the charts in New Zealand. It was nothing short of a miracle that music with Maori language lyrics could achieve such success. It was the heyday of Tina Turner and Michael Jackson – and of course most songs were sung in English. But then along came Dalvanius Prime, an imposing Maori with a strong but silky smooth voice, and the singers of the Patea Maori Club. Prime had already established himself as a ‘black’ soul singer, then he began to mix traditional melodies with modern Beats. Although the media would have loved to ignore it, Poi E became a ‘hymn of a new generation’, ultimately encouraged many Maori to rediscover their roots and experienced a new hype in Taika Waititis feature Boy (Generation 2010).
With
- Dalvanius Prime
Crew
Written and Directed by | Tearepa Kahi |
Cinematography | Fred Renata, Jos Wheeler |
Editing | Tearepa Kahi, Francis Glenday |
Music | Jan Hellriegel |
Sound Design | Dick Reade, Colleen Brennan |
Production Design | Savage |
Costumes | Gavin McLean |
Make-Up | Vee Gulliver |
Line Producer | Callie Adams |
Producers | Alexander Behse, Reikura Kahi |
Executive Producer | Tearepa Kahi |
Associate Producer | Tuteri Rangihaeata, Eruera Te Whiti Nia, Natasha Prime, Nephi Prime |
Produced by
Patea Film Collective
Tearepa Kahi
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Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, this director of Maori heritage was discovered as an actor at the age of 17 and subsequently worked for two years with a Maori theatre troupe which toured throughout New Zealand. Having studied history and Maori studies at the University of Auckland, he has since directed a diverse range of documentaries and award-winning short films. His feature debut Mt Zion won several prizes at the New Zealand Film Awards and was a big commercial success in both New Zealand and Australia.
Filmography (selection)
2006 The Speaker; short film 2007 Taua; short film 2013 Mt. Zion 2016 Poi E: The Story of Our Song
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017