Rain of the Children

"Rain of the Children" is a 2008 feature film written, directed and produced by Vincent Ward.

In Rain of the Children, Ward further explores the subject of his earlier film, "In Spring One Plants Alone" when, as a young film student he travelled to the Ureweras and documented the lives of an elderly Māori woman (Puhi) and her schizophrenic son (Niki).

Cast

* Rena Owen, star of Once Were Warriors features as Puhi Tatu. Miriama Rangi, Mikaira Tawhara Harmony Wihapi and Melody Wihapi all play Puhi at different stages of her life, along with other Tuhoe actresses.
* Temuera Morrison from Star Wars and Once Were Warriors plays Rua Kenana the prophet at his community in Maungapohatu.
* Waihoroi Shortland plays the part of Puhi's adult son Niki.
* Other featured cast include Taungaroa Emile, Mahue Tawa, Katarina Nohopai Tangiwai, Kimikimi Mane and Ray Pomare.
* Many Tuhoe descendants played parts, recreating scenes their ancestors had experienced.
* Key Tuhoe elders and historians are interviewed in the film.
* Vincent Ward plays himself in the film.

Production

"Rain of The Children" was filmed on location in Tuhoe country in the Urewera ranges in New Zealand. The production returned to the places Puhi had lived and the sacred mountain, Maungapohatu, where traces of Rua's community still remain.

Release

Rain of The Children's world premiere is at the Sydney Film Festival (In Competition) on 7 June 2008. It opens in other festivals around the world shortly after, and will open to international theatrical release in late 2008.

Voted by the audience from 250 feature films Rain of the Children won the Grand Prix at Era New Horizons Film Festival - a major International Film Festival in Poland. The film was also nominated for best director and won best composer at the Qantas Film and TV Awards in New Zealand. Vincent Ward has also just been nominated for best director at the Australian Directors Guild Awards for Rain of the Children.

External links

*imdb title|1092031
*Sydney Film Festival [http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/film_details.asp?id=2&fID=396]
*New Zealand International Film Festival [http://www.enzedff.co.nz/n5882.html?region=2]
*Review in The Hollywood Reporter [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?rid=11270]