I watched a couple of movies lately that have stayed with me. The first one I think that you would all enjoy and I bet at least Beth and Diane have access to it. It is a New Zealand film called Number 2..yeah, I know..but it's not about THAT  heehee..it's about a family whose matiarch is from Fiji and how their lives have become since the move to NZ. It is a fantastic little film and really shows NZ culture, down to the foods we eat and the roads and everything.

 The second hasn't left me since I watched it. It is very graphic and violent, lots of beatings and  two scenes with rape involved but one isn't shown. It is called Once Were Warriors and really highlights the struggles of the Maoris and the different ways that they have handled becoming "modernized" for lack of a better word. You have to remember that NZ isn't that old of a country and the Maoris were very capable of keeping the whites out of here just by their bare hands and brute strength. The elders are really having a struggle trying to keep the young respectful of the old ways and this film really highlights that. On a positive note,this film is several years old and things have improved on that score. The youth are really starting to get involved with keeping their traditions alive and I have to say that they are very loving people, with an incredible amount of respect for their elders and a wonderful softness towards their babies. Even the worst of the kids, gang members and such, pull up their pants and take off their hats when an elder is around. And there is a good representation of the guys with their faces tatooed. It is quite a shock to see them the first time, especially if they are coming at you with the traditional greeting of pressing their nose against yours to "exchange breath"or "life source". If you can take violence this movie is worth a go. I guess it is important to me because I live here but I think it has a lot to say.