Courtesy of our friends at Kismet Movies, we have five in-season double cases to give away to The Convert. From Lee Tamahori, director of the masterpiece Once Were Warriors, comes another iconic NZ film which opens the eyes of cinema-goers to Māori and NZ history. This epic period drama explores themes of conflict, transformation and hope. It stars Guy Pearce Jacqueline McKenzie, Lawrence Makoare and Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne.
The film is a must-see cinematic event, best experienced on the big screen. With a striking and lush natural backdrop, and an authentic depiction of traditional pre-colonial New Zealand culture, the film is for fans of quality period action and drama films.
Here’s a synopsis:
New Zealand in the 1830s is a Māori world, dominated by tribal wars.
Seeking redemption from a dark past, lay preacher Thomas Munro (GUY PEARCE) is on board a trading vessel heading to the newly established town of Epworth, a British settlement in that far corner of the world.
When the ship anchors for repairs, Munro finds himself caught up in a battle between Māori tribes and witnesses the slaughter of innocents at the hands of chief Akatārewa (LAWRENCE MAKOARE). Munro manages to save the life of Rangimai (TIOREORE NGATAI-MELBOURNE), the daughter of Maianui (ANTONIO TE MAIOHA), a rival chief whose land Epworth leases in a delicate arrangement.
As Munro begins to experience the white townsfolk’s entrenched racism and paranoia towards the Māori, he finds himself increasingly ostracised within the community he is meant to serve and realises he has been brought to this isolated British outpost merely to add the veneer of civilisation.
After one of Maianui’s men is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Munro and Rangimai make the difficult journey into prohibited lands ruled by Māori warlords, in the hope of repairing the injustice. However, Munro soon realises he is a pawn in a strategic play of power, and with bloody war between the two dominant tribes now inevitable, he must decide what role he will play and whether his faith is real or of any value.
To be in the running to win one of the five double passes first – follow ‘timeoff’ on instagram at “timeoffmagazine” then send an email to with “The Convert” in the subject line. Winners will be notified by return email. QLD addresses only. One entry per person. No entries via third party sites. Please include your best postal address. QLD addresses only. Comp closes June 25, 2024.
