Who knew that New Zealand's Maori natives suffered the same hellish treatment dished out by the English Empire around the globe. This is another chapter of Western "civilization" the elites would prefer to have kept swept under the rug. It's a sad tale of gender, racial, andethnic prejudice and abuse. The director is young and inexperienced, but tries her hardest to convey original ideas in new ways. Her bravery in tackling such a delicate subject with honesty is unique.
It's very difficult to be picky and compare techniques to Spielberg, and the Hollywood elite who had so much more to work with in their careers. I applaud this director, cast, and crew for doing a great job.
If your idea of a great film is STAR WARS, you can pass this one quietly by. But if you're a curious person who enjoys history, politics, and deeply emotional situations in foreign cultures, you'll find this quite compelling and rewarding.
