by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
Simeon Mahana is a smart young boy. He speaks with knowledge and integrity and earns the respect of all around him. Except for his Grandfather.
Simeon’s grandfather, the patriarch of the family seems to treat Simeon with contempt. He orders him to do chores around the family plantation with seeming impunity and Simeon, as a product of Maori tradition in 1960s New Zealand, swallows his pride and follows orders. The well-spoken young man utters “Yes, Grandfather” aloud but mutters why under his breath. The inquisitiveness of the teenager soon yields to defiance and set Simeon and his family at odds with the Patriarch who housed and employed them.
Big budget director Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day, xXx: State of the Union, The Devil’s Double) helms this character driven story about a culture in which he may be familiar. Decently acted and directed, Tamahori given a glimpse into Maori culture and living in New Zealand that he may have experienced himself. While at times subtitles were definitely needed, the story is well told and easy to follow and Tamahori may have chosen not to use subtitles to accent the tension of the time. Based on the novel “Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies” by Witi Ihimaera (Whale Rider), John Collee writes an intense, engaging and complex coming-of-age story of growing up in New Zealand.
Grade: B