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Patu!

Patu!

Representation Score

7.8/10

Good

1983

Director

Merata Mita

Runtime

112 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Patu! is a landmark documentary that centers Māori ability to act and the grassroots resistance against the 1981 Springbok Tour. It successfully deconstructs the colonial gaze by shifting the focus from state-sanctioned sports to the struggle for indigenous sovereignty. The film excels in racial and cultural representation, offering a sophisticated critique of Western institutional power and systemic racism. It moves beyond mere inclusion to provide a narrative reclamation of indigenous identity. While the film is powerful in its political and racial analysis, it lacks depth regarding LGBTQ+ identities and specific disability-driven narratives. The focus remains primarily on the physical and socio-political realities of the protest movement.

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Category Breakdown

Does Patu! have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on the collective political struggle and the socio-political implications of the Springbok Tour. While there are no explicit LGBTQ+ narratives, the film addresses the broader socio-political context of the movement.

How does Patu! portray gender?

Good

The film highlights women as active participants in political organizing and community resilience. It challenges conventional hierarchies by showcasing their roles against state violence and patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Patu!?

Excellent

This is an exceptional example of indigenous-led storytelling that places Māori ability to act at the center. It critiques racial hierarchies and provides a profound deconstruction of the white settler norm.

How does Patu! represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative prioritizes the survival of indigenous cultural structures over colonial-era social norms. It frames the resistance as a necessary response to institutional corruption and Western hegemony.

Does Patu! include disability representation?

Limited

The film captures the physical trauma and vulnerability of the human body against state violence. However, it lacks character-driven narratives regarding neurodivergence or chronic disability.

Present on Screen

  • Exceptional Māori ability to act and indigenous-led storytelling.
  • Sophisticated critique of Western hegemony and colonial structures.
  • Nuanced portrayal of women as active political organizers.

Limited or Absent

  • Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
  • Absence of character-driven stories regarding neurodivergence or chronic disability.

Official Synopsis

In 1981, the New Zealand government invited the South African rugby team to tour New Zealand. This effectively split the country in half. Patu! is the story of the protest movement, HART (halt all racist tours). This documentary shows footage of protester meetings, rugby games and various beatings meted out to protesters from police.

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