War Party

These almost naked tattooed men are hauling a boat and a half-dead prisoner through the jungles of New Zealand, which was probably called something unpronounceable then, since this looks like a pre-Christian Maori war party on the move.

With sticks between their teeth, encouraging hideous grimaces, the warriors demonstrate the importance of sound as a psychological weapon. There is much screaming and shouting to ward off… evil spirits? Inquisitive tourists?

A boy brings water secretly to the prisoner and there is an attack from the depth of the trees. Confusion and bloody turmoil follow and a new leader emerges.

There is no recognition of goodies and baddies, nor an explanation of the boat, nor a history of the prisoner. Tearepa Kahi’s short film is but a snapshot of what was once called “savage culture,” incomprehensible to pale skinned colonialists who eventually will come with sheep and religion to change their world forever.