Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori dies
Acclaimed Kiwi film director Lee Tamahori has died after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Tamahori, aged 75, died peacefully at home surrounded by his close family.
A statement from Tamahori’s family said he died surrounded by his long time love Justine, his beloved children Sam, Max, Meka and Tané, his daughter-in-laws Casey, who is expecting, and Meri, his darling mokopuna Cora Lee, and whānau.
“His legacy endures with his whānau, his mokopuna, every filmmaker he inspired, every boundary he broke, and every story he told with his genius eye and honest heart,” the family statement said.
“A charismatic leader and fierce creative spirit, Lee championed Māori talent both on and off screen.”
His artistry, his intelligence, his charisma.
Tamahori was a legend in his own right and his body of work showed he had a talent far above the ordinary, but it it all somehow lived in the shadow of his greatest creation, Once Were Warriors.
The brilliance of that movie culturally reset what it meant to be a Kiwi in NZ. It was a harsh examination of the neoliberal policies that had left so many behind.
The opening scene of the billboard next to the reality of a NZ underpass was a juxtaposition that till brings me goosebumps.
It was the first time I had seen domestic violence that looked relevant to the life I grew up with, I can only imagine its resonance with wider Māori society.
The stories that Lee chose to tell examined us in away no one had every managed before.
He was a unique story teller and the world is a bit dimmer with his passing.
Rest in peace Lee.
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