White Lies (2013 New Zealand film)
| White Lies | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dana Rotberg |
| Produced by | John Barnett Chris Hampson |
| Screenplay by | Dana Rotberg |
| Based on | Medicine Woman by Witi Ihimaera |
| Starring |
Whirimako Black Rachel House Antonia Prebble |
| Music by | John Psathas |
| Cinematography | Alun Bollinger |
| Edited by | Paul Sutorius |
| Distributed by | Madman Entertainment |
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Release date
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Running time
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93min |
| Country |
 New Zealand
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| Language | Maori Engish |
| Box office | $2,760 |
White Lies is a 2013 New Zealand film directed by Dana Rotberg, based on the Witi Ihimaera novel, Medicine Woman. The film stars Whirimako Black, Antonia Prebble, and Rachel House. The film premiered in New Zealand cinemas on 27 June 2013. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was selected as the New Zealand entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
White Lies is a story about the nature of identity: those who deny it and those who strive to protect it. Paraiti (Whirimako Black) is a medicine woman. She is the healer and midwife of her rural, tribal people - she believes in life. But new laws are in force prohibiting unlicensed healers. On a rare trip to the city, she is approached by Maraea (Rachel House), the servant of a wealthy woman, Rebecca (Antonia Prebble), who seeks her knowledge and assistance in order to hide a secret which could destroy Rebecca's position in European settler society. If the secret is uncovered a life may be lost, but hiding it may also have fatal consequences. So Paraiti, Maraea and Rebecca become players in a head on clash of beliefs, deception and ultimate salvation.
Witi Ihimaera, the author of the book drew on the life of Anglo-Indian actress Merle Oberon, and the hiding of her true ethnic origin. Not only did she have Sri Lankan ancestry, she also had Maori ancestry.
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