14/09/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6YdUbnDdYo
The documentary Kia Ora (2014), which is about the Tuscan campaign of the 28th Māori Battalion, offers an interesting historical angle to the Liberation of Firenze and nearby villages of the Chianti region.
Maori soldiers played a key role on war field against Germans, and they have given a massive contribution to the Allied Victory in WWII.
Director: Manuela Critelli
Victoria University of Wellington has curated the English and Te Reo subtitles.
A message form the Director, Manuela Critelli:
I have always thought that a documentary, a novel, or a piece of music, doesn’t require words to introduce itself.
In the case of Kia Ora, however, I want to share some thoughts, that are very important to me.
To begin with, Kia Ora made me realise how many wonderful pages of our history are still unknown.
Even when we are aware of historical events, even when we know we share the same values such as freedom, justice and democracy, we still don't know enough.
The production of this documentary is full of moments of pure poetry.
I think of Nolan Raihania, brave soldier of the 28th Maori Battalion, who really moved me singing the song “Mamma”, intoning it in the exact same way as my grandfather used to.
I think of the Maori delegation at the Florentine cemetery, whose solemnity, strengh, and wonderful music left me breathless.
I remember the interview with Monty Soutar and the surprise of the whole crew when he said many of those who fought in Italy called their children Florence, Faenza, Cassino, names of Italian cities they loved, in spite of the war.
For these and many other reasons, I feel honored to have been able to get to know you more closely shortening the great geographical distance that separate us thanks Kia Ora.
I hope that this documentary can convey the friendship that I nurture for you, together with the fact that for me you are also Italians, as I know that I too will feel at home when I am going to visit New Zealand.
The documentary Kia Ora (2013), which is about the Tuscan campaign of the 28th Māori Battalion, offers an interesting historical angle to the Liberation of F...
