Culture

The Regent Theatre - Octagon
Saturday 10 August 8.15pm

Thirty years since its release, Geoff Murphy’s Utu will be hitting the silver screen again this August, digitally restored and remastered for the International Film Festival. Starring Anzac Wallace and Bruno Lawrence, Utu is a story of one man’s dangerous attempt to reconcile the wrongs done to him. Described as a “western-cum-war film,” with dark humour used to shed light on the state of affairs in colonial New Zealand, Utu is based on true events that remind us of the country’s troubled past.

Set during the land wars of the 1870s, Te Wheke (Wallace) works as a soldier for the British until they betray him by slaughtering his iwi. This injustice turns Te Wheke into a dangerous renegade as he swears utu (revenge) upon the colonials. His actions in turn provoke the vengeance of Pakeha settler Williamson (Lawrence). The cycle of revenge – its passion and its emotion – is excellently performed by a talented cast. In 1983, Utu became the first New Zealand feature film to be invited into the Cannes Film Festival.

The producer of Utu Redux, Graeme Cowley, sought to restore the film after being appalled by the the deterioration of the original’s quality when it was screened on television in 2010. Digital restoration will allow this cinematic work of art to maintain its intended beauty, while some re-editing allows for clearer communication within the narrative. The original film received criticism for its overly-fast pace: although the action and violence will grip you, make sure to pay attention to the important points raised by the dialogue.

Utu Redux provides an insightful and emotional reminder of the violent tragedies of the Land Wars of the 19th century. Arguably this insight played a role in promoting biculturalism during the 1980s. Now, in 2013, Utu Redux allows this historical reflection to be experienced by a new generation.

Exciting, emotional, action-packed and reflective, Utu Redux will provide a thought-provoking and new experience for acquaintances of the original film and new-comers alike. This is a great representative of New Zealand cinema within the International Film Festival this year.