Uproar

A beautiful commentary on Aotearoa New Zealand in the early 80s, and a moving coming of age story. I laughed and cried, and recommended it to everyone I know.

Julian Dennison is brilliant as the lead character Josh, supported by excellent performances from Erana James, Minnie Driver, Rhys Darby and Mark Mitchinson, among others. Wonderful direction from Hamish Bennett and Paul Middleditch, and I particularly appreciated the authentic and powerful depiction of Maori culture. The haka scene during the protest was amazing.

There was an audible positive response to this film, lots of laughs and gasps throughout, and animated chatting afterwards, always a great sign of a happy audience.

Loved it!

I really wanted to like this being a kiwi film partly shot in Dunedin, but there was so many continuity mistakes I had to watch the credits a couple time s to check for continuity... Some of the camera reversals were in completely different locations...(Looks like they called for a rain day or the like, and then went to the wing location) And some of the on screen props / equipment didn't even exist for that time period. And not really researched as to period piece behavior and languages. I really wanted to like this but it left me with a bad taste that shouldn't have really happened. Could've should've been better. Oh well win some lose some.

In '80s-based NZ drama "Uproar" half-Maori teen Julian Dennison (great) struggles both at his mainly white school and at home where Brit mum Minnie Driver fights to keep the family afloat after her Maori hubbie's death and older bro James Rolleston pines a rugger career crushed by injury. Through teacher Rhys Darby (good) Dennison naturally exels at drama (set against the rugger he has to play) while in backdrop South Africa's NZ rugger tour stokes racial tensions that bite home via the likes of Dennison's pal Jada Fa'atui. Co-director (with Paul Misdleditch) Hamish Bennett and co-writer Sonia Whiteman pack plenty in, but it works. It's a terrific movie.

Initially I went to watch this movie with the point of view of what it was like being a minority race in that time and if it still correlates to today. The short answer is yes, it's an unseen underbelly in todays New Zealand but behind closed doors and even in pockets of social media platforms you get the gist that people although not all still have something against the minority race. I'm Maori, an indeginous (yet soon may not be) New Zealander and everything in this movie hit and resonated with me and that ultimate question who am I could not have been writ better, it hit hard, I cried I laughed, an angry voice finally heard, this movie done this for me. I felt eyes looking at me as I walked of the cinema, looking at me in a different light as if this shed light on what it's like being Maori colonized by a western view point. This movie had some wit to it like it's characters and I can only imagine that entire ensemble were all on board and the direction and storyline and within it the subtle storytelling to give this movie the best shot all aligned. Julian Chur my maori, made me cry bloody bugger 😂

"Uproar" is a significant New Zealand film starring Rhys Darby and Julian Dennison, delving into racism and Maori inequity. Set during the 1981 Springbok tour, it follows a young Maori boy navigating life in a predominantly white private school. The film masterfully blends humour and gravity, highlighting serious themes with a light touch.

Expect a mix of laughs, tears, and inspiration as it tackles important conversations with grace and authenticity. This film is both a poignant and entertaining portrayal of New Zealand's complex social issues.

Aotearoa New Zealand needs more films like this.