Amiri and Aroha has proved an extraordinary project that has taken over my life for the past decade. When I first developed the concept of a Māori take on Romeo and Juliet for a one-off independent film, little did I think I would still be working on it over ten years later, let alone continuing to find new and exciting plot twists!
The success of the original film on the international film festival circuit, which started with a win at the Best Shorts competition, began an amazing journey that stubbornly refuses to come to an end. With three films now in the can and so many threads to the story, there is sufficient material for another trilogy at least!
From the outset, I believed we had a winning story, together with the added depth the actors brought to their roles. One of the joys of independent filmmaking is the discovery of raw talent. Kristel Day was outstanding as Aroha, the daughter of a mob leader desperate to escape. Michael Hollis brought an edge to the super smooth business hotshot. Shayne Biddle, fresh from his role in the critically acclaimed New Zealand film The Strength of Water, took on the challenge of Hunapo, Aroha’s cousins, a flawed hero and possibly the most complex character in the story.
I wish to acknowledge the contribution of the cast and crew who have shared this epic journey with me. Your faith in the project has helped turn my dreams into reality.
David Whittet
The success of the original film on the international film festival circuit, which started with a win at the Best Shorts competition, began an amazing journey that stubbornly refuses to come to an end. With three films now in the can and so many threads to the story, there is sufficient material for another trilogy at least!
From the outset, I believed we had a winning story, together with the added depth the actors brought to their roles. One of the joys of independent filmmaking is the discovery of raw talent. Kristel Day was outstanding as Aroha, the daughter of a mob leader desperate to escape. Michael Hollis brought an edge to the super smooth business hotshot. Shayne Biddle, fresh from his role in the critically acclaimed New Zealand film The Strength of Water, took on the challenge of Hunapo, Aroha’s cousins, a flawed hero and possibly the most complex character in the story.
I wish to acknowledge the contribution of the cast and crew who have shared this epic journey with me. Your faith in the project has helped turn my dreams into reality.
David Whittet
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See how Amiri & Aroha became irrevocably linked to Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and find out how Amiri's Child caused a political stir in New Zealand on the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb) trivia pages.
Delve deeper into the project at the Amiri and Aroha blog.
Check out our promotional videos and first-look photos from the world premiere.
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