10th April, 2021.
Right …
I’m officially going to bed, in a while.
But … ? Needed to make sure I’ve got my initial thoughts on paper.
Or screen, at least.
Or — ha! — website.
Just in case you didn’t know? I’ve been blogging a while.
And I treat Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar — the blog you’re reading now — as a mix of online diary, and way of entertaining people: as I’m sure my regulars will tell you.
Right now, I’m writing this on Saturday, 10th April: after having made my mind up, about what film to watch.
You’ve possibly guessed already.
I’ve sat down with the 1994, Lee Tamahori directed, film, Once Were Warriors: after seeing one of it’s stars in season two of The Mandalorian.
I’ll tell you more, tomorrow …
*Spoilers*
11th April, 2021.
Right … I’m now back home: on a Sunday evening where — believe it or not? — we had a comparatively nice morning.
But, on the way home … ?
We got sleet: barely visible through the car windscreen, but definitely sleet.
Which is …
Well, let’s just say I was grateful for the lift home.
At any rate … ?
I saw a movie: and wanted to tell you about it …
~≈🎥≈~
It shows us Beth (Rena Owens), as she comes home from shopping: and meeting her daughter, Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell) reading a story to her younger brother and sister.
Introduces us to Beth’s husband, Jake (Temuera Morrison), at a local fish market.
To Nig (Julian Arahanga), working out at the local outdoor gym.
And to Mark (Taungaroa Emile), called Boogie: in trouble, again, catch stealing a car with his friends.
Then moves: showing us Beth having one beer, in the kitchen: before Jake gets home.
With some welcome seafood … but some bad news, and a worse, hair trigger, temper.
Later that evening? Beth is preparing dinner: and having a much needed chat with Boogie, about his big court appearance, the next day.
What Beth doesn’t realise — but possibly suspects? — is that Jake’s habit or bringing people home for an impromptu party … ?
Is going to ruin things …
~≈🎥≈~
Why did I watch Once Were Warriors?
There’s a few reasons.
Firstly? This isn’t the first time I’d seen Once Were Warriors.
I originally saw Once Were Warriors around the turn of the century — the late Nineties or early two thousands — and felt it was very impressive: impressive enough to bookmark for later viewing.
I didn’t actually do that, until last night: Saturday, 10th April, 2021.
Some weeks after seeing series two of The Mandalorian: where Temuera Morrison — the abusive Jake the Muss — plays Boba Fett.
Which got me thinking that I should give Once Were Warriors another look.
Something an old friend called Donna — proud New Zealander that she is — agreed with: New Zealand’s* best known films are always worth watching.
That’s the why.
Now, the important bit … ?
Is Once Were Warriors a good film?
Oh, yes.
Granted: not everyone’s going to go for social realism, for a film that’s presenting life as it is.
Which is understandable: many of us want escapism.
But there are time when we need to be reminded life can be tough: and that there are there are people out there who aren’t pleasant. That there are people — like Rena Owens’ Beth — who end up victimised.
I’ve been a barman.
And had customers like like Jake: men you really wish you could happily refuse to serve, as they were violent, given a beer and half a chance.
I’m thankful I’ve worked for managers happy to support their workers: and bar the serious offenders, as soon as presented with evidence: although at least one manager took persuading.
I’ve seen at least one man who is — or, at least, was — very unpleasant to his then wife: and to his own mother, when younger.
Had I thought more about it? I, frankly, should and could have phoned the police: but was a little more — understandable, I think — concerned with with my personal safety.
And glad to hear the couple got divorced: with the ex wife emerging alive, and relatively unscathed.
I know of at least one or two other men who are fine … when they stay off the beer.
Then there’s the character of Uncle Bully.
Possibly the less said about his raping Grace, the thirteen year old daughter of the family?
And that rape’s part in Grace’s eventual suicide?
Possibly the better.
I don’t think I’d knowingly known a child abuser … until after their deaths, when some of the contents of their computer were found.
What can you do in those situations?
Apart — understandably — from reacting the way Jake does, when he finds out.
With domestic abuse, and alcoholism on the rise, under lockdown?
I think Once Were Warriors — and films† like it — need to be seen for what they are.
They’ve warnings.
They’re watchable.
And must be watched.
Once Were Warriors.★★★★
* Apart from the Lord of the Rings films. I get the impression Donna’s not a fan.
† I’m told Nil by Mouth covers similar territory: and that I, Daniel Blake, is very relevant to those of us job hunting.
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