This Way of Life

An excellent documentary that tells the tale of a family who are so beautifully simple in the way that they live their life, they are so into their family and the horses. From a parental point of view, the kids where so innocent and happy and played just how they should play, a mad crazy house full to the brim with love. It certainly changed the way I look at my children,and my family It makes you appreciate what you have, and makes you make the time.The way that this documentary was filmed was superb,the filmmaker wasn't in their face, but seemed to flow seamlessly within the family.The Karena children are at one with the horses, they seem to be a part of them. The phrase that really stuck for me was "what do I do for a living?" "I live for a living" a fantastic philosophy. Loved it, Thank you so much.

Lifting the lid on another world; a gentler, kinder, calmer, slower, less consuming world which a number of us caught in our own wee rutted worlds love to hear about. Documentary mode worked well - the focus on "the man of the house" was evident but fantastically accompanied, and clearly made possible by, his stoic wife and his delightfully ALIVE kids. Most poetic part of the film is the metaphor-making moment when the son falls from a horse (which looks massive compared to the wee fella!). He stamps his feet in anger/frustration in the sand.... and then climbs back on the horse (helped by his Dad). Classic. A gentler, simpler time for us all to be reminded of. Happiness doesn't live in long-life cartons down aisle 4 of the supermarket; nor does it come with a 3 pin plug and only in need of 240volts!! My wife loved the horse/rider scenes in the water and the swimming/jumping off rocks with the kids - I thought the naked scenes were a tad gratuitous/sensational (perhaps some jealousy on my part I am prepared to admit !) I don't doubt it was absolutely natural, but it came across to me as a tad intrusive in that case. All up, a great reminder for us all of to take stock, consider our needs versus our manufactured/manipulated demands. A man who didn't even consider being afraid to share the simple truths of his feelings. Nice one.

This film is beautifully shot and edited. One very quickly falls into the story , into the landscape of this powerful and idealistic narrative .If you like Horses and seeing the joy of children learning to ride and find their freedom, if you like the idea of living close to nature with honesty and passion and gentleness. If you like thoughtful cinematography and intimate stories well revealed, then This way of Life will satisfy you and open your heart, The screening I attended was to a full house which erupted in a well deserved standing ovation at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, Inspiring, compassionate, engrossing, uplifting! A must see!!

One of the best movies I have ever seen. To see all those beautiful horses and Mr Karena galloping along the beach gave me the wanting of returning home. Having such a large family providing them with the necessities of life and teaching the children how to live off what God had provided in the beginning. It astounded me how the children made do with what they have, you don't need the flash cars or houses to live a fulfilling life the basic necessities are all that matters and yet to see them tormented by the ones they love, it broke me to tears but no matter what was thrown at them, they still forgave them. What a silly man his dad is, I do hope he watches this and then he'll see how much his son still loves him no matter what. I loved watching the horses and how he started to build his little tourism business in the bushes. Seeing how they became homeless and now into a home of their own was priceless. The whole movie gave a powerful message and left me with an attitude to look at myself and the way I perceive my life. What a humble family who has a Christ like attitude towards life. Thank you. very moving indeed.

This film is absolutely gorgeous in cinematography, scenery , direction and general "feel". The way it is shot leads the viewer to believe they are in residing some remote wilderness. They are actually in a little town just out of Hastings. The scenery shifts as they move from the Ruahine's to Waimarama beach and other locations with breathtaking views. The story is decorated with enviable horsemanship, beguiling time shifts, personal reflections and charming monologues. Peter Karena's personality draws the viewer in and we believe his plight because we want to. There are open questions left unanswered and thought provoking family dynamics that make you wonder what the story behind the story is. It is a simple, beautiful, illustration of real people at it's finest. You will love this.