Film review: Rain of the Children

this movie waz mean well just coz im frm matahi and whakarae

I went to Rain of the Children with my sister and mother (all of us mothers). I was overwhelmingly moved by Puhi's story - she endured abuse and extreme heartbreak and still remained strong. The movie gives an insite of what a hard life it was for woman only 1 century ago. The history of the Tuhoe people is fascinating and intriguing and anyone that has been to the Urawera's can feel how its a mysterious and spiritual place. A truly beautiful film.

I went to Rain of the Children with my sister and mother (all of us mothers). I was overwhelmingly moved by Puhi's story - she endured abuse and extreme heartbreak and still remained strong. The movie gives an insite of what a hard life it was for woman only 1 century ago. The history of the Tuhoe people is fascinating and intriguing and anyone that has been to the Urawera's can feel how its a mysterious and spiritual place. A truly beautiful film.

I had heard of this film......and wanted to see it......so my luck....was on my way to fiji early october and.....rain of children was one of the films showing....Did not know what the film was about .....briefly seen the review of it on tv...on sunday program??...anyways....as i watched.......couldn't beleive.....this film was talking about my own family and our struggle with my uncle with the same illness....and my grandmothers similiar relationship with him.....i identified so much in this film...with her dysfunctional relationship with him.......including her nurturing..to the degree where.......my uncle could not do anything for himself where he took advantage of this.....and became helpless......thankyou vincent...for reminding me that this part of my life...has given such endless...empathy...and a deep and untouched sensitivity.....to people that are different.....but precious gifts, we are all on earth for a reason.....regardless if we feel we aren't accepted....so...right now.....i am laid up on crutches....bugger...but.....is maybe blessing..... off work for now. I can begin to think about my book....."dancing with angels"....have no idea where to start....if anyone has vincents email....would love to email him for advice :)....

when will this film be released in DVD ? or for us Maori in Aussie ?

Kia ora mai tatou katoa,

Nga mihi ki nga waihotanga a Puhi kua mahue mai nei i te ao hurihuri. Nga mihi ano ki oku whanaunga whanui kai te noho tonu i te haukainga o ou tatou tupuna.

I have been a soldier in the New Zealand Army for almost 24 years and I consider myself a seasoned, hardened soldier. I have travelled the world and seen unbelievable hardship that reaches far beyond the comprehension of those of us who live in this land of plenty and peace, I speak of East Timor and Afghanistan to name just two. I have seen women treated like dogs at the hands of those who dare call themselves men.

I am of Tuhoe descent and very proud of our people and the accomplishments to date. When I was a child I spent considerable time in the valley of Ruatoki and they were good times. When I watched Rain of the Children I became so moved, so angry, so emotional. I guess this was because of the hardship I had seen overseas, and the fact that I was totally oblivious to what was going on in my own back yard. This movie opened my eyes more.

Absolute hardship is what Puhi had endured all those years. Outcast by her own people and left to fend for herself. Many years ago one of our tupuna asked Tuhoe "Tuhoe; kai a koutou tonu te pito o te aroha?"

Perhaps not as far as Puhi was concerned. Heoi ano e te kuia moe mai ra e te kuia i raro i te korowai o te Atua kaha rawa. Kia poipoia, kia manaakihia e koe e wau tamariki kua mene i mua noa atu ki te po.

Hai kona.

Kia ora, My aroha goes out to Vincent Ward and all that participated in this film that depicted the story of a kuia who was just Puhi kuia to all of us who knew her. Also to have her mokopuna play roles in the film. Actually bought back a lot of memories, especially the kerosine scene, throwing kerosine onto a fire while there are still embers alight, a many of times I have singed my eyebrows and hair doing the exact thing. Well documented and portrayed movie.

Amazing film! beautiful moving and affecting. I grew up around that area and the thign that blew me away was how it was shot. The contrasts in light, reminded me exactly of being at home. I saw it at the melbourne film fest a few months ago and it's stayed with me since.

It is good to see Vincent Ward going back to what he does better than anyone.

That river film was the only one of his that I've never watched all the way through.

Great film Can anyone tell me please what Puhi's birth name was?