Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

An intimate story of the birth of indigenous cinema told from the perspective of Merata Mita's son Heperi Mita. As a film archivist Hepi uncovers never before seen footage and shares deep personal accounts of her life that led her to blaze the trail for many indigenous voices we celebrate today. Merata was the first Māori woman to write and direct a narrative feature in 1988 entitled Mauri. Merata's political films highlighted the injustices for Māori people during the 1980's and often divided the country. She became an international hero but considered a domestic nuisance. She worked across the globe and for various respected organisations including the BBC and National Geographic.