Hollywood may have had a few high profile films open this week, but dominating headlines here was a documentary about a classic Kiwi song that came from a small Taranaki town.
The slow-build hype on this long-gestating local documentary about number one hit song 'Poi E' promised an unforgettable experience. And so it is.
Our unofficial national anthem, 'Poi E' was in the pop charts for 34 weeks after release, back in the charts each decade thereafter. But few knew the real story behind it - a story begging to be told - and now on a big screen near you.
While the star of the show must be the late Dalvanius Prime of course - and this film is mostly told through him - there are so many stars here, and not just the obvious ones, like Taika Waititi, Stan Walker and the Topp Twins. In fact, full respect, they are merely the backdrop for the cast of characters we're introduced to through the Patea Maori Club and through Dalvanius, and their friends, families and supporters.
Told through a mix of intuitively curated archival footage and recreations, augmented by home movies and of course by the ample interviews, this is the story of our song. But it's also the story of the '80s urban drift from small town New Zealand to the cities, from the marae to the mall, of freezing works closures and the inexorable cultural disconnect.
It's Patea's story. And like their song, this film belongs to them.
Wildly entertaining, indelibly memorable and, above all, 100 percent Kiwi, this film will deservedly settle into its rightful place in our cultural heritage along with the song itself. Miss it at your peril.
Five stars.
Poi E: The Story of Our Song:: Director: Tearepa Kahi :: Starring: Dalvanius Prime, Jools Topp, Lynda Topp, Maaka Pohatu, Stan Walker, Patea Maori Club, Ngoi Pewhairangi, Taika Waititi :: Rating: G:: Running Time: 93 minutes:: Release Date: In cinemas now
Newshub.
