Page 7 - MidWeek Leeward - June 30, 2021

Pearlridge To Screen Drama
JUNE 30, 2021 7
A New Zealand Indige- nous drama titled Cousins is being released theatrically on Oʻahu on July 2, includ- ing a screening at Consoli- dated Theatres Pearlridge.
Missy and Makareta — lead separate lives, but they are united together forever.
Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith, who both re- ceived Sundance Institute’s Merata Mita Fellowship in 2019.
ARRAY Releasing is un- veiling the box-office hit lo- cally, before premiering it worldwide on Netflix July 22.
Orphaned Mata thinks she has no whānau (family) and lives out her desolate child- hood in fear and confusion.
They each directed a seg- ment for the critically ac- claimed feature film Waru, which world-premiered at the Toronto Internation- al Film Festival in 2017. Gardiner, in addition to be- ing a talented director, is well known for producing Taika Waititi’s early work including acclaimed com- edies including Eagle Vs. Shark and Boy, and festival favorites, like The Breaker Upperers.
Cousins debuted at the Māoriland Film Festival in New Zealand.
Back home in New Zea- land, motivated and edu- cated Makareta escapes an arranged marriage to study law and start searching for her long-lost cousin.
It earned the 2021 People’s Choice for Best Feature Dra- ma, and premiered at No. 1 at New Zealand’s box office earlier this year.
She leaves behind brazen yet responsible Missy, who takes on her role of kaitiaki (guardian) of the land.
The movie is produced by an all-female Māori team. It has nine actresses who por- tray three cousins through- out three stages of their lives.
As the years pass and land surveyors begin to encroach, their promise to bring their stolen cousin home seems more unlikely than ever, until a chance encounter changes all.
Cousins is Grace-Smith’s second feature film as a di- rector. She also wrote the film, and stars as adult Ma- kareta.
• COMMERCIAL
• RESIDENTIAL
• INTERIOR/EXTERIOR • VARNISHING
• STAINING
These women — Mata,
The film is directed by
FREE ESTIMATES
“Managing a project from a distance is difficult. CMC
was great to work with. They were the first company
to respond to my request for quotes. Their price was
reasonable and they kept to their quote. They kept me up
to date on progress via phone, text, and email which was much appreciated. Mike sent me photos of the finished project and it looks great! I will definitely be calling them for my next paint job!” – Rachel S..
“They were able to come by give us a quote and get to work right away. The team took great care of our ‘Ohana by selecting products that would dry quickly, were
nontoxic, and working around us being home. Their work is impeccable and
really brought some needed life into our space.” – Noel S.
FIRST CHOICE- QUALITY WORK WITHOUT CUTTING CORNERS
CONTACT
CMCPTG@GMAIL.COM HTTPS://CMC-PAINTING-LLC.BUSINESS.SITE
TEXT OR CALL (808) 208-2796
The film Cousins will have a screening at Consolidated Theatres Pearlridge. PHOTO COURTESY K2 PUBLICITY