March (2020)
A short but powerful documentary preserving rare footage of the historic 1984 Māori hīkoi to Waitangi, directed by Merata Mita and Hepi Mita.
March - Movie Information
- Original Title: Hiikoi
- Release Year: 2020
- Directed by: Merata Mita, Hepi Mita
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 8m
- Original Language: MI
- Spoken Languages: Maori
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 6, 2020 (New Zealand)
March - Plot
This footage of the 1984 hīkoi (march) to Waitangi was made by Merata Mita with the intention of producing a documentary about this historic occasion. It was begun during an incredibly busy time for Mita – who had achieved international attention for her groundbreaking documentary Patu! (1983) about the 1981 Springbok tour – and launched several other projects including her feature film Mauri (1988).
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March - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Merata Mita
- Hepi Mita
March - FAQs
What is the 1984 hīkoi shown in March?
The 1984 hīkoi was a significant Māori land march to Waitangi in New Zealand, organized to assert Treaty of Waitangi rights and protest land alienation. It was a landmark moment in Māori political activism, drawing national attention to indigenous land rights and sovereignty issues during a period of growing Māori cultural resurgence.
Who directed the documentary March (2020)?
March was directed by Merata Mita and Hepi Mita. Merata Mita was a pioneering Māori filmmaker who originally shot the footage, while Hepi Mita — her son — completed and shaped the documentary. Merata is also renowned for her groundbreaking 1983 documentary Patu! about the Springbok rugby tour.
Where can you stream March (2020)?
Streaming availability for March (2020) varies by region. You can check current platforms and viewing options, including any subscription, rental, or purchase options available in your area, via JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for this short documentary.
Is March (2020) based on a true story?
Yes. March is a documentary capturing real footage of the 1984 hīkoi (march) to Waitangi, a genuine and historically significant event in New Zealand's Māori rights movement. The film documents authentic protest activity and is rooted entirely in real events surrounding Treaty of Waitangi land rights advocacy.
How long is the documentary March (2020)?
March has a runtime of approximately 8 minutes, making it a short documentary. Despite its brief length, it preserves historically important footage of the 1984 hīkoi to Waitangi, offering a concentrated and powerful record of a pivotal moment in Māori political and cultural history.
What language is March (2020) in?
March is presented in the Māori language (te reo Māori), reflecting the cultural identity and political context of the 1984 hīkoi it documents. This linguistic choice underscores the film's deep connection to Māori sovereignty and the indigenous rights movement at the heart of the march.
When was March (2020) released?
March was released on May 6, 2020, in New Zealand. The documentary presents footage originally captured by Merata Mita during the 1984 hīkoi to Waitangi, with the project later completed and released decades after the historic march it commemorates.
How does March relate to Merata Mita's broader filmography?
March connects directly to Merata Mita's legacy as a trailblazing Māori documentary filmmaker. She shot this hīkoi footage while riding the international acclaim of Patu! (1983) and simultaneously developing her feature Mauri (1988). The film represents an unfinished thread of her activist documentary work, later completed by her son Hepi Mita.
More About March
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