Directed by Kevin Double, "Set in Stone" screens at the Arohanui Film Festival on October 29th. A Q&A with the filmmaker will follow the screening.
Directed by Kevin Double, “Set in Stone” screens at the Arohanui Film Festival on October 29th. A Q&A with the filmmaker will follow the screening.
Synopsis:
In a small town twelve thousand miles away from the battlefields of Europe stands a monument dedicated to all Māori who fought for King and Country during World War One.
Constructed in 1925, it was built so generations to come would remember the supreme sacrifices made by Māori soldiers.
Over time, the stone and the memories carved into it slowly crumble. Storms and earthquakes accelerate this erosion. The loss of generations and dispersal of whānau exacerbates it.
Stopping the erosion, conserving the stones and rebuilding the monument will take a specialist team over a year and cost more than half a million dollars. Restoring memories, reconnecting whānau, and ultimately welcoming a World War One hero back home will take the love of a whole community.
“Set in Stone” is told from the heart by people whose passion and skill unite them. Māori and Pākehā, German and English all contribute to this fascinating and moving story. Filmed with aroha in the gardens of Pākaitore, Whanganui, it’s a story about a New Zealand community doing what they do best – caring for those who lived and those still living.
“Set in Stone” is a feature length documentary from award winning cinematographer Kevin Double (“For Children,” “Show your Hand – behind the scenes of Project Born”). Kevin is passionate about showing the internal beauty of his subjects combining them with stunning visuals to create poetic stories.
