New Zealand's next starring role
17 Aug 2007
- ITV brings Maori culture to the small screen
New Zealand is no stranger to the limelight - its scenery has been immortalised in some of the most successful films in cinematic history. However, a one-off ITV drama, to be screened on 26th August, focuses as much on New Zealand’s fascinating Maori culture as its spectacular landscape.
The Man Who Lost His Head stars Martin Clunes as a pompous museum curator sent to New Zealand to deal with a Maori tribe’s claim for the return of a carving; the likeness of a Chief’s son who was captured in England and who made the carving to watch over his tribe until his return.
Clunes’s character initially has no intention of returning the artefact, but he’s soon won over, not only by the tribe’s passion and beliefs but by the charms of a local Maori woman.
Although light-hearted and entirely fictional, the drama does deal with a poignant and controversial issue for Maori people - the repatriation of ‘taonga’ (cultural treasures), and the production crew did its homework on how this should be properly handled.
With John Barnett, the producer of the Oscar-winning New Zealand film, Whale Rider, on board as Executive Producer, there was already a link to the Maori community. Working with two Maori cultural advisors - Ngamaru Raerino and Bradford Haami - helped add authenticity to the story, lend some typical kiwi humour to the script and ensured that Maori etiquette was observed during filming.
Expert Maori carver, Wikuki Kingi, was also involved and helped to construct a village, specially built for filming. Although set in Northland, further filming was also done in Huia and Bethells Beach, both in West Auckland and deemed to have the right look and community feel for the drama.
For further information on the production:
Naomi Phillipson
ITV Press Office
Ph: +44 207 633 2589
naomi.phillipson@itv.com
For further information on New Zealand:
Rebecca Holloway
Travel PR
Ph: +44 208 891 4440
r.holloway@travelpr.co.uk
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