This Way of Life

The iconic image of a ruggedly handsome man atop an equally impressive steed ~ rearing up between dappled grassland and dazzling sky, mane and tail lashing in all directions ~ tells us some essentials about THIS WAY OF LIFE, the sterling documentary it advertises.

It tells us, in a glance, that the man in question is capable and seasoned, outdoorsy and independent, the sort of man who can probably fish and hunt, read the land and weather, wrangle wild horses and build their corrals ~ living as best he can outside any deadening constraints of Western civilization. And all of this proves to be true.

What this image doesn't disclose is that what we actually have here is an inverted and updated Trojan Horse, in the best possible sense of the term. Instead of being the predictable tale of a Lone Ranger, THIS WAY OF LIFE reveals that the rider, Peter Karena of Aoetoara/New Zealand, is a man for whom marriage and family are of paramount value. The question this story poses is ~ can he secure his beautiful, growing, and beloved brood a home, with his integrity intact? Opposition to this dream resides closer than even the usual social, political and economic demands that erode the likelihood of obtaining freedom in this day and age. For Peter is the chosen enemy of a stepfather who still operates out of the worst possible facets of the old Patriarchal paradigm: the will to be divisive, destructive and, above all, domineering.

Ultimately this apparently modest slice of life, via deft story-telling, provides an arc of development which applies not only to one family in the back of beyond, but engages entire cultural gears: our shared longing to deconstruct an old model which is abusive of far too many and to supplant it with one of our own making. As our rigged economic system and oppression by corporatocracy collapses, THIS WAY OF LIFE becomes an option that feels vital and venerable rather than quaint or exotic.

I want to wrap up this review with highest praise: by the time the credits rolled, I was left feeling, in a quiet yet indelible way, that these beautiful people are necessary to our way of life, as they display our participation in nature, and demonstrate that the personal is universal. May their message radiate worldwide.

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!!

I thought this film was entertaining from start to finish, the family in this doco were each and everyone intriguing, beguiling and unaffected by the rat race. Having had some of the same experiences as a child as the children in this film, I totally relate to galloping about on one of our beautiful noble horses without a care in the world. Watching my dad train wild horses and catch and kill animals for our dinner was also something I can relate to but what was new to me was the incredible lengths this family would go to to keep living this life out of the rat race - and then when their home is burnt down in a malicious attack they experience homelessness, unemployment all the while expecting a new baby. It is amazing how you couldn't make this stuff up, its reality at its best and worst. This film shows no matter how the world falls down around you, having a healthy respect and reverence for nature gives you and your children a better chance to survive and evolve into healthier,wiser, clever-er and fun -er people.

Watching this was like being there. The method used to film and document the life of the Karena family was perfect for enabling viewers to truly connect on a personal level with the entire family, circumstances and location. As the story progressed I became emotionally bonded with Peter and Collen and their children, in such a way, I wanted to meet them, support them, praise them for being who they are and for fighting for their way of life. When the film ended, it didn't end for me... I cried the whole way home, and since ... the lives of the Karena family have stayed with me. No other documentary or film has ever had this kind of impact on me. I commend all those involved with the making of "This Way of Life".

This small, unexpected New Zealand film is simply mesmerizing and an unconditional must-see. No, really. This Way of Life is a documentary tracking the Karena family through a story that is so remarkable, you couldn't make it up. Two parents and six children live happily in relative poverty, making ends meet by working on the land, farming pigs and riding wild horses, and living a truly wholesome "good" life. Their life is simple, and beautiful for it. But as with real life, there is drama along the way, and some of it must have seemed a Godsend to the film-makers, who can't possibly have anticipated what transpired. The interviews are heartfelt and touching, and you cannot help but leave the cinema with a new perspective on life. Highly recommended.