The Dead Lands

Just as his chieftain father is staging peace talks with the opposing tribe, teenage Hongi witnessess the enemy desecrating the sacred remains of their Maori ancestors. Clearly not ready for a truce, they try to pin it on Hongi, giving them a reason to stage an attack on his entire tribe. It's a horrifically brutal scene that makes revenge seem like an inevitable response. Hongi sets out to avenge the death of his people, including his father, for whom he must honor with retaliation. His main target is Wirepa, the instigator of the massacre. He must follow him into the notorious “dead lands,” known to be extremely haunted, its spirits believed to be responsible for several disappearances. The opposite of the barbaric Wirepa, Hongi will need to use other means to finish the job. From the dialogue and fighting style, to the heritage of some of its actors, THE DEAD LANDS stays true to the history of the Maori people. While it's heavy on the violence, it's also insightful in its commentary on the never-ending cycle of war. – E.F