Tama
Tu
dir
by
Taika
Waititi
DIRECTOR'S
NOTES:
“This
is
not
a
film
about
war,
it
is
a
film
about
the
vitality
of
life.
With
“Tama
Tu”,
I
wanted
to
capture
the
feeling
that
in
the
darkest
of
situations
there
are
some
events
that
stand
out,
brief
moments
that
show
how
we
humans
seek
out
the
light,
the
joy
in
life,
regardless
of
our
surroundings
or
situation.
The
story
of
the
soldiers
is
simple.
They
are
a
bunch
of
young
men,
all
Maori,
from
rural
New
Zealand
(possibly
some
are
related),
and
who
have
a
special
bond,
strengthened
by
their
character,
their
culture
and
each
other.
They
are
a
tight
unit,
they
know
each
other
and
care
for
each
other,
they
are
brothers,
but
most
of
all,
they
are
young
boys”.
Taika
Waititi
The
film
is
set
in
Italy
during
WW2.
The
boys
are
members
of
the
28th
(Maori
battalion).
Many
boys
and
men
lost
their
lives
during
this
war,
and
whilst
fighting
members
of
this
battalion
also
encountered
racism
and
hardship.
Because
many
of
the
Maori
battalion
were
related
and
from
the
same
areas
the
loss
was
harsh
on
the
communities
at
home.
http://www.tamatu.co.nz/film.html
While watching the film for a second time you will be given one of these jobs to do:
1. Look at the NARRATIVE STRUCTURE of the film.
2. Think about how SUSPENSE is created
3. Look at the different CHARACTERS and how we get to know what kind of
people they are.
4. Think about how TIME is handled in the film
To discuss in your groups:
How well do you think Taika Waititi achieved his aim of making a film about the
vitality of life? Give reasons
What Cultural elements are important to understanding this film? How does an
understanding of the Maori culture help you understand the film?
How well do we feel that we have been transported to Italy in WW2 and how does he
achieve this?