White Lies (2013 New Zealand film)

White Lies is a 2013 New Zealand film directed by Dana Rotberg, based on the Witi Ihimaera novel, Medicine Woman. The film stars Whirimako Black, Antonia Prebble, and Rachel House. The film premiered in New Zealand cinemas on 27 June 2013.^[1] It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.^[2][3] The film was selected as the New Zealand entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards,^[4] but it was not nominated.

Plot

White Lies is a story about the nature of identity: those who deny it and those who strive to protect it. Paraiti (Whirimako Black) is a medicine woman. She is the healer and midwife of her rural, tribal people - she believes in life. But new laws are in force prohibiting unlicensed healers. On a rare trip to the city, she is approached by Maraea (Rachel House), the servant of a wealthy woman, Rebecca (Antonia Prebble), who seeks her knowledge and assistance in order to hide a secret which could destroy Rebecca's position in European settler society. If the secret is uncovered a life may be lost, but hiding it may also have fatal consequences. So Paraiti, Maraea and Rebecca become players in a head on clash of beliefs, deception and ultimate salvation.^[5]

Cast

• Whirimako Black as Paraiti
• Rachel House as Maraea
• Antonia Prebble as Rebecca
• Nancy Brunning as Horiana
• Te Waimarie Kessell as Aroha
• Kohuorangi Ta Whara as Wirepa
• Elizabeth Hawthorne as Hospital Matron
• Te Ahurei Rakuraku as young Paraiti
• Tahuri o te Rangi Trainor Tait as Paraiti's Grandfather
• Kyle Pryor as Soldier
• Rawiri Waiariki as Horiana's Grandchild
• Te Whenua Te Kurapa as Pirimahana
• Tangiroa Tawhara as Woman with Bad Leg
• Vanessa Paraki as Limping Girl
• Phil Peleton as Chemist

See also

• List of submissions to the 86th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
• List of New Zealand submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

References

^{[6] [7] [8]}

1. "White Lies | Tuakiri Huna – Theatrical Trailer (NZ)". Sounzgood. 2013-03-15. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
2. "White Lies". TIFF. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
3. "Toronto Adds 75+ Titles To 2013 Edition". Indiewire. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
4. "Oscars: New Zealand picks ‘White Lies’ for Foreign-Language Race". Variety. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
5. "White Lies | New Zealand Film Commission". Nzfilm.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
6. "White Lies trailer - Story - Entertainment". 3 News. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
7. Ihimaera, Witi. "White Lies by Witi Ihimaera - Books - Random House Books New Zealand". Randomhouse.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
8. "White Lies - Coming soon to cinemas". Flicks.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-05-05.

External links

• White Lies at the Internet Movie Database