Watch Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen from 2018 is a documentary film that celebrates the life and legacy of Merata Mita, a pioneering filmmaker who is considered the mother of Indigenous cinema in New Zealand. The film was directed by Merata's youngest son, Heperi Mita, who also serves as the film's narrator and guide through his mother's remarkable journey.

The film begins with a personal touch as Heperi reflects on his mother's death and his own grief at losing her. This sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is a deeply personal and emotional tribute to Merata's life and work. We see home movies and family photos of Merata as a young mother, along with footage of her as a passionate activist fighting for the rights of Maori people in New Zealand.

As we learn more about Merata's early life and her journey to becoming a filmmaker, we also see how she used her work to challenge the dominant narrative about Indigenous people in New Zealand and all over the world. Merata was one of the first Maori women to attend film school and one of the first to direct a feature film, and her work was groundbreaking in its depiction of Maori life and culture.

The film features interviews with Merata's family and friends, including her sons, her former husband and collaborator Geoff Murphy, and other Indigenous filmmakers who were inspired by her work. They speak to Merata's fierce determination and her unwavering commitment to telling the stories of her people. We also hear from Merata herself, in interviews and archival footage, as she talks about her filmmaking process and her vision for the future of Indigenous cinema.

One of the most powerful elements of the film is its use of Merata's own voice, captured in a series of audio tapes that Heperi discovered after her death. These tapes provide a revealing glimpse into Merata's creative process, as she shares her thoughts and feelings about her work and her life. We hear her wrestling with questions about identity, representation, and the responsibility of being a Maori filmmaker.

Throughout the film, we see clips from some of Merata's most famous films, including Bastion Point: Day 507, Patu!, and Mauri. These films are shown in the context of their historical moment, as Merata's work captured the struggles and triumphs of Maori people during a time of intense political and social change in New Zealand. Merata's films were a powerful tool for decolonization, and her influence is still felt in Indigenous cinema today.

One of the most moving moments in the film comes towards the end, when Heperi talks about the impact that his mother's death had on him and their family. He describes how difficult it was to go through Merata's belongings and to confront the fact that she was no longer with them. But he also talks about the importance of carrying on her legacy and of continuing the work that she began.

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen is a powerful tribute to a remarkable woman who changed the face of New Zealand cinema and paved the way for generations of Indigenous filmmakers to come. The film is a fitting tribute to Merata's life and work, and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and representation in both New Zealand and the world at large.