Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen (2019)

A documentary portrait of the pioneering indigenous filmmaker and activist Merata Mita and an intimate tribute from a son about his mother that delves into the life of the first woman from an Indigenous Nation to solely direct a film anywhere in the world. Known as the grandmother of Indigenous cinema, Merata’s independent political documentaries of the 1970s and 80s highlighted injustices for Māori people and often divided the country. Mita was fearless in her life, her activism and her art. Chronicling the director’s journey to decolonize the film and television screens of New Zealand and the world, the film documents her work, her early struggles with her family and her drive for social justice that often proved personally dangerous.

Directing:
  • Heperi Mita
  • Hepi Mita

Writing:
  • Tearepa Kahi
  • Heperi Mita
  • Hepi Mita

Stars:
Release Date: 2019-01-28
themoviedb icon 6.7/10
  • Country: NZ
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 88
Alanis Obomsawin
Alanis Obomsa...
Self
Merata Mita
Merata Mita
Self (archive footage)
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Self
Heather Rae
Heather Rae
Self
Bird Runningwater
Bird Runningw...
Self
Blackhorse Lowe
Blackhorse Lo...
Self
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Self (archive footage)
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