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KIKO 'Ka Puta' by Francis Baker

Rob Ulitski - 3rd Dec 2020

A Māori woman is reborn to fight for her culture in Francis Baker's powerful promo for KIKO. 

Created in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020, the video depicts a scene of colonial aggression - the woman is paying homage to a sacred Māori icon in the forest, until a white colonist arrives with a burning torch and sets the icon alight. The woman flees in terror... but ultimately she finds the power inside herself to take the fight right back to him. 

DoP Ryan Alexander-Lloyd captures the beautiful environment in breathtaking slow motion shots, contrasting the natural beauty with the destruction just around the corner. Meditating on themes of culture, tradition and war, the introspective promo builds to a compelling crescendo, and ends just before it gives too much away. 

A brilliant, memorable promo executed with the highest level of craft and respect for the subject matter. 

FRANCIS BAKER:

We aimed to raise awareness of the history of oppression - and highlight ongoing conflicts.

"Ka Puta is performed entirely in the Māori language by singer/songwriter Rewi McLay and his band KIKO. It’s about escaping colonial encroachment, dismantling enclosing barriers and breaking free to find your new path outside of the western-determined formula of existence. The song reflects Rewi’s battle to keep his language alive and to create a platform to share it with the world.

"Our visuals were designed to encapsulate this battle in a way that would connect on a human level, and be understood wherever you are from. By setting our story in the past, we aim to raise awareness of the history of oppression, and in turn highlight the ongoing conflict in today's socio-political climate. The hero was written to personify those who feel they have lost their identity, and empower them to draw spiritual energy from the natural world to stand up and fight for their culture.

"The project was originally released via Radio New Zealand Music in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2020 (Māori language week 2020)."

Rob Ulitski - 3rd Dec 2020

Tags

  • Director's notes
  • Narrative
  • Colonialism

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Credits

Production/Creative

Director
Francis Baker
Producer
Bryn Seager

Camera

Director of Photography
Ryan Alexander-Lloyd

Editorial

Editor
Brendon Chan

Grading

Colourist
Matic Prusnik

Rob Ulitski - 3rd Dec 2020

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