Maori men are musclers and well build bodies in general and they often resort to their fist to settle down any disagreement. There were some scenes shown men works out. They have popular dance called Bakah see the video below the New Zealand rugby team perform this dance.
The family that was depicted in the movie is Jack and Beth a couple of Maori and their two sons and daughter. Jack was alcoholism addicted cannot hold on to a job and he was mainly depending on dole to feed his family. The movie is shown Jack and his friends are heavy drinker with a bottle in his hand almost every time. Moreover, smoking was strongly present in the movie shown all Maoris as smokers. Read about the smoking rate among Maoris http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=17294
Many social problems were presented in the movie beside drinking and smoking. And one of these is domestic violence which was hit the family. Jack was using his fist against his family specially his wife. I noticed that action was not surprising the family or the friends’ and they saw it as normal situation could any family go through. I remember a fanny statement was said by Beth friend’s she said” keep your mouth shut and your legs opened. Which is indicated the upper hand of the men in this particular society. Unlike the woman in Pakeha society who is working side by side with the men and live independently.
Drinking, unemployment, smoking and violence are serious problems in Maori society. However, we cannot reprove Pakeha for that. In addition, it is normal to see most of officials are Pakeha .Because; they are the majority of the population. I did not notice any kind of oppression of Maori by Pakeha in the movie. However, there is a big question mark about the Maori being living in ghetto
There is no good or bad ghetto and there is no comparison between a ghetto and another neighborhood because, ghetto always wins as worse place. Poorness, lock of security, deprivation and pollution are lineaments for almost any ghetto around the world. so, when it is compared with countryside the ghetto look like a dark, humid and worn room has a big window with nice view the sun light pass through it along with fresh air, this window is the countryside. This kind of enviromment affects the family in negative way for sure. Each member of the family could be affected by different way.
Each of the family members was presenting a way of life. Nig the oldest son, was kind of person who turns his back to his family. Trying to forget the problems that associate with his family and looking for gang as alternative. Grace the daughter, ambitious teenager loving her family looking forward for better life. Who as killed herself after had gotten rapped by her bully uncle in her own bed. Boogie, who had lost and ended up in juvenile system before he made a dramatic change in his life and personality to be good person helping his mother to start all over again,.
Jack loved his Beth yet. It doesn’t make any good as long as he treats her and their sons that way. In the end of the movie she got that and she finely came to place where she knew he is not going to change and stop and make U turn and continue no more. After that, she confronted him and said “you still sleeve for your drink and fist”.
I personally believe the same I’m always say that for people around me. Your love to me is nothing as long as love does not combined with respect care, and good treatment.
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