Official submission of New Zealand to the best foreign language film category of the 87th Academy Awards 2015.
All the actors underwent a six week training boot camp prior to filming to get them into shape.
Although the film is shot in Te Reo (the Maori language), director Toa Fraser doesn't speak the language.
Director Toa Fraser's first name actually means "warrior" in Maori, though he is actually of Fijian descent.