Once Were Warriors
The film: "Once Were Warriors" is a deeply moving story about Jake and Beth Heke andtheir five children - a family in crisis. Although the story takes place in New Zealand, andthe characters portray an urban Maori native family, many of the scenarios, situations andcharacteristics that are presented in the film are relative to our own country and culture. Ifound the viewing and reviewing of this film to be extremely triggering for meemotionally. Over and over again I found myself drawn back to the memories andemotions of a time when my own lifestyle reflected only too closely the events that weredepicted on the screen. Time and again my fists clenched in sympathetic agony, and mystomach knotted with tension in anticipation of the next scene, which from myexperience, I knew would be coming. The characters seemed so real that I could replacethe names and faces with those of people I have known well; Most of whom dwell now inthe place of spirits, or no doubt wish they did. I found myself contemplating deeply on the concept of duality - both the dualityrepresented in the timeline of my own history, and the duality that the characters wrestlewith in the film. The plot, with its stark images seems to
In the case of alcoholism, thisprocess is called "bottoming out". As the cameraperception changes, we realize that the serenity we felt was merely the image on anexpressway billboard. He becomes Jake "the Muss", genial, powerful, commanding,brimming with confidence and respected (at least by his bar buddies). Their innocence and resilience apparently keeps them blissfully unaware ofthe complexity and crisis that surrounds them. All young men go through a period where it becomes necessary to "fly from the nest"and seek and express their individual identity. First of all, the relationship between Beth and Jake has lasted eighteen years and hasproduced five wonderful offspring. There is a culturalaspect as well, with their tattooed bodies and faces and their warrior-like solidarity,stoicism and discipline they are attempting to connect with a history, culture and traditionthat is as powerful and proud as any that the world has seen. They sing beautifullyand its magic seems to strengthen the bond of love that they share. Beth appears to be able to pick up some extra cash housekeeping or some such, andtogether they are able to somehow make ends meet. The lack of portrayal of any gainfulemployment by any of the main characters is noticeably evident and I feel it safe toassume that their circumstances provide few "life chances" for such. Jake is lost in a haze of alcoholism and extremeviolence. All of the familymembers seem to posses an inspiring determination to survive and stay strong in spite ofthe depressing surroundings. Bethdelivers her final lines and leaves Jake in the parking lot of the bar, from there returningto her culture where we assume she will regain her pride, heal her family's wounds andrebuild their self identity as a people whose ancestors "Once were Warriors" .
Common topics in this essay:
Nig Boog,
Beth Heke,
Boog Mark,
Jake Muss,
Beth Jake,
,
life chances,
peak occurrence,
father's drunken,
|
Acceptance Essays
