New Zealand „The Wonder Country“ that is the title of Margaret McClures book published in Auckland 2004. In her book McClure describes the fascinating landmarks and tourist sites of New Zealand.
In contrast to that Lee Tamahori designs a rather sober picture of New Zealand and its
aboriginal citizens decendants respectively, the Maori, with his film adaption of Allan Duffs „Once were warriors“. Already in 1990 Duffs novel was traded as highly controversial and bestselling. Tamahoris adaption of this novel won more than 15 international film awards. The seven-man family is about to collapse since the father Jake „The Muss“ Heke is alcohol addicted and once again lost his job at the beginning of the movie. Since eighteen years he constantly beats up his wife Beth Heke when he is drunk. Although the two youngest children seem to be untouched by the miserable family background, the eldest son Nig joins a gang. His younger brother Marc, also known as Boogie, becomes re-offended when he is caught prising a car again. In the course of his misbehaviour he is sent to an approved school. Just the oldest daughter, Grace, seems to have a future since she succeeds in school and writes short stories. However, as it ought to turn out the family is shattered by the rape of Grace and her suicide. Not until its revealed that a friend of Jake, Bully, who calls himself Grace' uncle, raped Grace Beth draws the conclusion to leave Jake. The movie was published in Germany under the name „Die letzte Kriegerin“ with a distinct focus on the main character Beth Heke. It was often discussed whether this titel fits the movie and hits the essence of the film. Therefore this paper concentrates on the representation of women within the movie to answer the question wether the title „Die letzte Kriegerin“ matchs the impression the viewers get of Beth Heke. Therefore it seems to be indispensable to take a close look at the characters development of Beth. Moreover it seems to be evident to have a look at Grace and her life respectively her perspective and her individual conveniences in comparison to the lifes of her older brothers Nig and Marc. Finally it should succeed to answer the question why it was somehow necessary that Grace had to comit suicide before Beth left Jake. Moreover the circumstances of the different lifes have to be illuminated.
Finally it should succeed to state the reason why Duff portrayed the Maori community the was he did.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Portrayal of characters connected to their development in the movie
2.1 Beth Heke
2.2 Jake
2.3 Grace
3. The Tradition of Māori warriors
4. Duff's intention-conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the representation of women in Lee Tamahori's film adaptation of "Once Were Warriors," with a specific analytical focus on the protagonist Beth Heke. The research explores whether the German title "Die letzte Kriegerin" accurately reflects Beth's development, her struggle against domestic violence, and her eventual reclamation of her cultural identity.
- Analysis of Beth Heke’s character development and social role.
- Examination of domestic power dynamics between Beth and Jake Heke.
- Evaluation of Grace Heke’s role and the impact of her tragic fate on the family.
- Contextualization of traditional Māori warrior culture versus modern, distorted representations.
- Exploration of Allan Duff’s intentions regarding Māori identity and social responsibility.
Excerpt from the book
2.1 Beth Heke
As already mentioned the film starts with a camera shot showing an idealistic extensive hilly landscape with a lake in the foreground and a deep blue sky with some fair-weather clouds. The next camera angle presents Beth Heke (Rena Owen) wheeling a supermarket trolley and smoking a cigarette while she looks at three of her children sitting in the garden next to a tree and listening to one of Grace's short stories as we later get to know. Beth appears strong, even athletic, somehow young and good-looking. The way she is smoking her cigarette seems tough and aggressive at the same time. The tattoo on her left breast is eye-catching. Passing a group of young men, one of them Beth's oldest son Nig, who are training their muscles with dumb-bells, she stops and smiles at Nig who looks as if he is in a peak condition. She seems to be proud of him. After she gets home and put down the shopping-bags she turns to the fridge and fetches a bottle of beer. She quaffs off the jumbo-size bottle of beer like all men and women of her society do as we realise later.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the sociocritical context of the film, highlighting the harsh realities of the Heke family living in a council estate and the initial circumstances that lead to their eventual collapse.
2. Portrayal of characters connected to their development in the movie: This section provides a detailed character analysis of Beth, Jake, and Grace, examining their personal motivations, power dynamics, and individual responses to their oppressive environment.
3. The Tradition of Māori warriors: This chapter traces the historical background of Māori culture, contrasting the original values of the warrior tradition with the distorted, violent interpretation portrayed by the men in the film.
4. Duff's intention-conclusion: This final analytical chapter discusses the author's personal background and his thematic aim to encourage the Māori community to rediscover their true identity beyond the cycle of violence and colonial impact.
Keywords
Once Were Warriors, Beth Heke, Māori culture, domestic violence, identity, Lee Tamahori, Allan Duff, character development, warrior tradition, mana, social criticism, gender roles, New Zealand film, colonialism, resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the representation of women in the movie "Once Were Warriors," specifically analyzing the protagonist Beth Heke's journey from a submissive wife to a self-confident individual.
What are the central themes discussed?
The primary themes include domestic violence, the influence of historical Māori warrior traditions on modern identity, social class struggles, and the breaking of cycles of abuse.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The main goal is to evaluate if the German movie title "Die letzte Kriegerin" (The Last Warrior Woman) is an accurate description of Beth Heke by analyzing her development and social environment.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a film and character analysis approach, drawing upon sociological context, historical background of Māori warriorhood, and comparative analysis with Allan Duff’s original novel.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers detailed character studies of Beth, Jake, and Grace, the historical traditions of Māori warriors, and the overarching thematic intentions of the author, Allan Duff.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Māori identity, domestic violence, "Once Were Warriors," character development, Beth Heke, and cultural heritage.
How does the author interpret Jake Heke's behavior?
The author interprets Jake as a man suffering from his "slave origins," who uses physical violence and domination as a maladaptive way to compensate for his lack of real power and identity.
Why is Grace Heke’s role considered significant for the plot?
Grace represents the potential future of the Māori youth; her tragic suicide serves as the necessary catalyst that forces Beth to finally break away from the toxic influence of her husband.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Toni Rudat (Autor:in), 2007, The representation of women with a distinct focus on the main character Beth Heke in the movie "Once were warriors", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/78301
