'Marama' stars Toby Stephens, Umi Myers, and Ariana Osborne and is now filming in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Author: Gabriella Geisinger
Published: 02 Oct 2024
Production on gothic horror feature film Marama, from Maori writer-director Taratoa Stappard, is now underway in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The film is set in North Yorkshire, Victorian England, 1859 and tells the story of a young Māori woman’s fight to reclaim her identity and indigenous culture.
New Zealand's Auckland and the Otago regions are doubling for Victorian England.
The film features Maori actor Ariāna Osborne in the lead role, alongside British actors Toby Stephens, Umi Myers, Erroll Shand, and Jordan Mooney.
Marama is produced by Sharlene George for the international production company The Sweetshop. In a statement, George said: "I couldn’t be happier that we are shooting and doing all our post-production here in Aotearoa to anchor the story on the whenua (land)."
The film’s other producers are Rickylee Russell-Waipuka, Rouzie Hassanova, with Paraone Gloyne as Pou Tiaki Reo & Tikanga as the Māori language and culture producer. Executive producers include Victoria Dabbs, Gal Greenspan for Sweetshop Entertainment; Jill Macnab and Phil Bremner for Vendetta Films; and Badie Ali, Hamza Ali and Greg Newman for MPI Media.
Marama was developed with support from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga/the New Zealand Film Commission, imagineNATIVE, The Black List, Toronto IFF, Zurich IFF, and the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
The film is being made in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Whakaata Maori, and Images & Sound. MPI International will manage global sales with Vendetta Films distributing the film in Australia and New Zealand.
Share this news feature
Latest news & features
Featured profiles
Choose from three profile types - Basic, Silver and Gold
Create ProfileWe offer a range of display advertising opportunities. Click below to find out more.
Advertise With Us