White Lies

I was fortunate enough over the weekend to attend a screening of NZ feature White Lies followed by a revealing Q+A session with writer/director Dana Rotberg, star Antonia Prebble, composer John Psathas and novelist Witi Ihimaera. It might seem odd for a film about NZ colonial identity to be made by a Mexican filmmaker, but surprisingly the story benefits greatly by coming from an outside perspective.

Adapted from Witi Ihimaera's novella Medicine Woman, White Lies doesn't have a particularly well told story at its core, but is nonetheless an important film for NZ to have produced. Set during the early days of settlement, the film depicts a sinuous power struggle between colonial housewife Rebecca (Prebble), her housemaid Maraea (Rachel House), and Paraiti (Whirimako Black), the Maori medicine woman whose particular skills and discretion are sought.

The shifting dominance of each of these women, representing different aspects of female identity at the time, weaves a compelling and bleak narrative, but some of the story beats that should have had greater impact unfortunately fall a little flat. Elements that needed more room to breathe play out much too quickly, not allowing audiences time to digest, although the film's closing scenes are powerful. White Lies deals with uncomfortable subject matter, and Rotberg doesn't shy away from the story's most tragic aspects.

Thankfully, White Lies looks better than any NZ film for some time. The cinematography by NZ legend Alun Bollinger gives the rugged setting of the film a beautifully oppressive quality reminiscent of his work on Vincent Ward's Vigil, and has moments of rare, haunting beauty.

It's a shame that most viewers will be unable to hear Rotberg speak about her approach to the film. The director's keen understanding of the tragedy of colonialism in her homeland brings significance to White Lies that a Kiwi director may have been guarded about addressing, and hearing her thoughts on NZ colonialism and our nervous attitude about exposing our own violent past was incredibly refreshing. Her desire to treat the subject with integrity while never sugarcoating it comes across with wonderful passion, and while she remained respectful of the source material, she makes no excuses for altering Ihimaera's work to suit her own vision. Despite the film's faults, White Lies takes more risks and offers deeper perspective than most NZ films of late.

This was a superb film highlighting the clash of cultures and the ramifications resulting therefrom. In this case, it is a clash between traditional Maori and English colonial cultures. What is the value of culture and what is the price of conformity?

It is a well-developed movie. The acting was very good. The characterization was rigid and predictable based upon a viewer's initial observation of the characters and their respective roles, which actually enhanced the maintenance of the secret until late in the movie. Clues are provided that almost reach the level of red-herrings, but they are real clues with multiple interpretations that become clear as the movie progresses. All is not as it originally seems.

I happened to be on an Air New Zealand flight that offered a selection of New Zealand-made films or I probably never would have had the opportunity to see this excellent film. If I had a vote, it would get my vote for best foreign film.

I had no hesitation in giving this film 10 out of 10. I thought it was extraordinary, as did everyone else in the cinema. Everyone sat respectfully and watched the credits roll and comments heard as we left the cinema were without exception complimentary. What a story - quite dark but very moving as we see the collision of two cultures. I believe White Lies has the potential to win Viewers' Choice Awards at film festivals. There was not a false note in it for me, although some may find Antonia Prebble's character quite rigid - but she needed to be. I am going to see this film again later this week, and it's not often that I do that.

My daughter directed me to this site after we re-read some of the reviews for this film. I have to admit we read a review in the Herald, the Listener and even heard one on the National radio (where they called 'Rachel House' 'Rachel Church'!) and we decided not to see it. We thought our regular cinema would surely close the film down given the Luke warm reviews. Yesterday we went along to our local cinema with a view to see a festival film and we noticed 'White lies' was still on. After a lot of sighing and changing of minds we decided to see it.

I am so glad we did.

What a powerful and remarkable film. I wholeheartedly accept the criticism of some of the clichéd dialogue from various reviews hence my 9 out of 10.

Whirimako Black gives a very assured performance for a newcomer though clearly she is a storyteller of some repute in the music world. Elizabeth Hawthorne gives a full bodied performance that we've come to expect from such an acting heavyweight. Like wise Nancy Brunning gives us a textured and full character that adds a well needed warmth to our lead protagonists journey. Antonia Prebble is indeed a porcelain doll as described by others. Yes, she is cold and unlikeable and the journey she goes on throughout this story that gives us real insight into the reasons behind this behaviour is executed remarkably well for such a young actress. In other words I believed her and followed her journey entirely. All of these performances were wonderful- but it is the servant Maraea that I couldn't stop thinking about- who I am still thinking about. What an intriguing story and an absolutely outstanding performance by Rachel House. For both my daughter and I and in turn all of our friends who we managed to convince to go along and see the film- it is this part of the story that we are most torn up about. "Like watching a dam about to burst" is how one of my friends described Houses performance.

I encourage you all to go and see the film yourselves. I hope the overseas critics understand the qualities of this film better than those ones here.

Important and heartful. All children can benefit. THESE STORIES ARE MEANINGFUL AND NEED TO BE TOLD. CONGRATS TO DR.