♪ Long ago ♪
♪ Was so long ago ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ I awake and find you standing here by me ♪
♪ Say it, you lost your way ♪
♪ I don't believe a single word you have to say... ♪
If New Zealand was a TV show,
then in 1981, we were the Incredible Hulk...
What most people saw was Dr Banner,
all mild-mannered and peaceful and lacking in charisma...
But actually, lurking just below the surface
was this muscly green guy in purple jean shorts
just waiting for something to set him off...
And in the winter of 1981, that something arrived..
The South African rugby team.
We don't want your racist tour!
They were our biggest rugby rivals,
but that wasn't the problem.
One, two, three, four!
It was the fact that South Africa
had legalised racism.
Three, four! We don't want...
Half of New Zealand was angry
that our government had let them play here...
The other half was angry that
politics were getting in the way of rugby...
And then there were the people who were angry and confused...
Why all the concern for them
when we had injustices of our own to deal with?
...at Hamilton's Rugby Park..
Here's Graham Moody...
By the time the tour began,
everyone was angry...
Well, almost everyone...
Although, I guess it's pretty hard
to be angry with anything
when you've always got your head down.
I was 17, living in Dunedin with my mum,
who barely stopped working,
and my brother, who barely left his room anymore...
And...
It had been seven years since Dad died.
It's a real shambles here
at Rugby Park, Hamilton...
- There's no way this game's... - Hey.
...gonna start for quite a while by the look of things..
They've got to get off the bloody pitch
so they can start the match before someone gets killed.
What's with all those helmets?
Bottles, cans, and everything...
In fact, the anti-tour protesters
are being pelted.
- All right. - Oh. Right.
All right, there is an announcement coming.
The game is now officially cancelled.
What?
- The game has been cancelled. - Whoa.
No. Come on.
Come on, they're not gonna cancel the whole thing.
They'll just get them off the...
They'll get them off the pitch and they'll start again.
You want to take the pasties to your room?
Do...
Trying to come back.
Turn that rubbish off, Josh.
...crowd here at Rugby Park, Hamilton.
♪ Our love is alive ♪
♪ And so we begin ♪
♪ Foolishly laying our hearts on the table ♪
♪ Stumblin' in ♪
♪ Our love is a flame ♪
♪ Burning within ♪
♪ Now and then firelight will catch us... ♪
You know this way's faster, right?
This way's so much more interesting, though.
You change directions a lot.
There's the... the bushes and stuff.
Well, get a move on,
'cause you can't keep being late for school.
I think I've ruptured my gluteus maximus.
It is impossible to rupture your ***.
He iwi tahi tātou...
We are all one people.
Timely reminder
when watching those shameful scenes in Hamilton
that here at St Gilbert's,
any behaviour that threatens this ideal
will not be tolerated.
When the Springboks arrive here in Dunedin next week,
we will show them that real New Zealanders
combat division
with unity.
And there is no better place
to showcase this quality
than on the rugby field.
Now, Second XV.
Hurry up, ****.
Toot, toot, chugga, chugga.
Thank you for that warm welcome, sir.
Wow, look at the glare off all those legs.
Such a...
Ah, I'm Josh Waaka, aka brother of...
Brother of a psycho.
I'm actually not the captain of the Second XV,
but for some reason, Sujhal asked me
to come up here this morning.
Unfortunately, we went down to Boy's High
in our final game of the season.
Another nail-biter, though.
I actually can't remember the score.
- 57-3. - Ah, that sounds right.
57-3.
We got three.
Quiet.
All right. Away you go.
Now...
First XV.
12 games played, 11 won.
And despite Saturday's disappointing draw,
Coach Bullivant assures me that this was a blip.
It was just a blip.
It's all... it's all under control.
In the next four weeks,
I will be expecting Wayne Anderson's photo
to be hanging alongside
some of the other fine, proud St Gilbert's men
who have captained this school to Harding Cup glory.
Men of St Gilbert's, stand.
Let's give Wayne and his vice-captain, Xavier,
a warm round of applause.
Dost thou not
suspect my years?
O that he were here to write me down an ***.
But, masters, remember that I am an ***.
Though it not be written down yet,
forget not that I'm an ***.
Thank you, Xavier.
Easily the most expressive performance of the day.
I think Shakespeare likes ***, sir.
Indeed.
Who else would like a crack at it?
Josh, perhaps?
I'm pretty sure Dogberry's not a Māori, sir.
Yes, well, I'm pretty sure Dogberry
didn't speak in falsetto either, Ted.
But that didn't stop you.
Now, if Josh wants to do it in Māori,
he's most welcome.
I'll take anything at this point.
Can't speak any Māori, sir.
Can barely speak English.
Well, you'll be nothing if not consistent.
No, thank you, sir.
Okay.
Oh, Josh.
Ah, quick word?
- Ah, yeah. Yeah. - Yeah?
Hey, so, I've started up
a kind of amateur drama club at lunchtime.
Emphasis very much on the amateur.
And when I say club, I mean it's...
Well, there's four of us, so it's not... it's not
it's not big.
But still.
Why are you asking me?
I just thought it might be something you'd enjoy.
What do you do?
All sorts of things. Improvisation.
That's kind of making things up on the spot.
We're doing some readings.
We've got a new local play called Foreskin's Lament.
- Foreskin's? - Yeah, that is weird.
That's the nickname of the lead character,
not the topic.
Look, I've even splashed out and bought a video camera.
So, yeah. What do you think?
Come on, we're going to be late.
Come on. Hurry up.
My lunch times are looking busy right now.
Right.
Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga.
Big black engine coming through.
Toot, toot...
- Whoa. - Careful.
Big vacuum cleaner coming through.
Out of my way, moppet.
So if you joined up,
you might play someone called Foreskin?
- Yeah, I guess so. - Please join up.
Grace, have you ever been on stage before?
I'm the only Samoan in the world
who doesn't sing, dance, or act.
I'm what's called an anomaly.
Anomaly and Foreskin...
That's, like, a great name for a cop show.
Like that Cagney & Lacey one.
Cagney and Lacey are both women.
- No, they're not. - Yes, they are.
Agree to disagree.
It feels like we've been walking longer than usual.
Yeah. Sorry.
Mum asked us to pick up another route
because she thought Jamie would be working by now.
Well, after this next street, I'm going home.
Why?
Because you're not paying me to help
so I can quit when I want.
Well, you're still on trial.
I've been on trial for three years.
You know, I'm still trying to figure you out.
I think they're protesting.
You think?
Hey, there's only one New Zealand, ladies!
Give it a rest!
*****.
We should finish our run.
What are you doing?
Go home, coconut!
Do you need a hand?
Yeah, thank you, darling.
- It's all right. So... - Yeah.
You're welcome.
- Thanks. - I'm Grace.
Kia or a, dear. I'm Tui. This is Samantha.
Pram Boy!
Come join us!
I'm not really a marcher. I'm more of a sitter.
Oh yeah? Passive resistance kind of approach?
Just keep fighting the good fight, eh, Pram Boy?
This is a silent march.
It's a what?
♪ Ah ♪
♪ Uh-huh ♪
♪ You've got a cute way of talkin'... ♪
It's pretty close, hey?
- Let's go for one more. - Okay.
Are you uncomfortable?
Nup.
Nup. Shit.
Was it my breath? Was I kind of breathing in your ear?
It's not as bad as the headband.
Just you wait, Jamie. I've got big plans for tomorrow.
We still have three left.
Mum said we have to finish the program.
You do it then.
♪ Dancin', dancin' dance the night away ♪
♪ I feel like dancin' dancin', ah ♪
♪ Quarter to four in the mornin' ♪
♪ I ain't feeling tired no, no, no, no, no ♪
♪ Just hold me tight and leave on the light ♪
♪ 'Cause I don't want to go home ♪
♪ You put a spell on... ♪
No. Out.
How many times have I told you,
no eating in the library?
It wasn't me.
Are you telling me those weren't crumbs
all over the table you were sitting at yesterday?
Yup.
What were they then?
Dandruff.
Mum said I got really bad cradle cap as a baby,
and it's obviously followed me into teenage-hood.
Ready? Like this.
Ooh!
This close.
Sorry. Workout.
Okay, let's warm up
with a quick game of five things.
Here we go. Get your hands ready.
And... ♪ Five things ♪
♪ Five things Five things, five things ♪
♪ Five things ♪
Dogs.
- ****er spaniel. - One!
- Bulldog. - Two!
- Poodle! - Three!
- Sausage dog. - Four!
And... beagle!
- Yes! - Five!
♪ Five things five things, five things ♪
♪ Five things ♪
Food.
- Bread. - One.
- Toast. - Two.
And...
- Porridge. - Yes! Three!
- Meat? - Meat!
Yes, meat. Meat's a food.
Four!
Bread.
Oh...
Done that one.
Already did bread. Uh... ah...
- Weet-Bix. - Yes! Five!
♪ Five things five things, five things ♪
♪ Five things ♪
Ugh, it is tricky, isn't it, food?
I should have gone with something else.
I should have gone with colours, but, yeah.
Well done. So, yeah, give him a hand, actually.
Not easy.
Oh, Josh! You want to come join us?
Okay.
- Now do you understand? - I understand, all right!
I understand that you art some form
of free-spirited poofter
is what I understand.
David? Yes, very audible.
In fact, I wonder whether Tupper would speak
quite at that volume.
At least that whole time.
What? I'm...
We don't have the full play, so who's to say that
my interpretation's not correct
in the context of the... the play?
Yeah, unfortunately,
with the amount of effin' and jeffin',
I think it's going to arouse some unwanted attention
from the powers that be.
So, we...
Yeah, but point taken. Good point.
Who else wants a turn?
Yeah? Oh, great.
Ah, David,
could you please give your lines to Josh here?
He's going to give us his interpretation.
What about me, sir?
Oh, Eric!
Born to play the role, yup.
I love the way you're...
Just the way you're reading it is...
Yeah, it's firm.
Yeah, good. Good.
Ah, you could use your lines if you like, Josh.
It's all right.
Oh. Okay.
Now do you understand?
I understand all right!
I understand that you're some sort of free-spirited poofter,
is what I understand!
This is a team game, son.
And the town is the team.
Who is the team, Tupper?
They're just a collection of human beings.
The team has no magical properties of its own.
That's where I disagree.
The highest, best thing
that these lads will ever experience in their life
is the sense of comradeship
striving towards a common goal.
Together.
One.
Wow.
♪ Got brass in pocket ♪
Acting.
♪ Got bottle I'm gonna use it ♪
♪ Intention ♪
♪ I feel inventive ♪
♪ Gonna make you, make you make you notice... ♪
Josh!
Have you heard of NIDA?
National Institute of Dramatic Arts.
It's the best drama school in Australia,
but New Zealanders can also apply.
So there's an open casting session
Sunday week in town,
and those that are shortlisted do a final audition
in Christchurch in front of the bigwigs.
Look, I'm telling you this
because I think you can give it a shot.
I don't know anything about acting.
After 12 years of being at the school,
I may not know great actors myself,
but I certainly know crap actors,
and you are not crap, Josh.
Have a think. I've got a staff meeting.
♪ Gonna make you see ♪
♪ There's nobody else here no one like me ♪
- ♪ I'm special ♪ - ♪ Special ♪
- ♪ So special ♪ - ♪ Special ♪
♪ I gotta have some of your attention ♪
♪ Give it to me ♪
- Sergeant. - Oh, Corporal.
Ah, is Grace home?
I wanted to tell her about this NIDA thing.
Sorry, Corporal, ah...
She went off with another friend.
Who's that?
She
had on a funny hat.
Do you know where they went?
Ah...
Yeah.
Most people in town called it Old Māori Hall,
which I guess was technically correct
since it was old and it was a hall
and there were usually Māori people in it..
But to Tui and everyone else who gathered there,
it had always been Ngā Hau e Wha,
The Four Winds.
Grace, honey, you're the only one in the room
with your own hips.
Like this. Boit!
Boit! Yeah, there's...
Watch Uncle Pere. Look.
No way.
Like this.
I'd taken a shortcut past it every week for years
but had never been inside.
It's time, Jamie.
Let's get to work.
Let's go, Jamie.
What are we doing?
Well, I know what we're doing.
Nah. Too far, man. Put it away.
Something...
Something pop out?
Jamie, can you come in the house?
Just me and you and this garage.
Bench press. The other presses.
Let's go. I'm ready.
Are you ready?
You are here.
We're gonna get you here
together.
Let's go.
Sorry.
Doing crutch walks first day.
Oh. Hey.
- Jamie. - Jamie.
That was a good one.
Josh, will you come and say hello?
Hello, there.
Gentlemen, would you like a cup of tea?
Mm.
Might want to take that off
before it gets stuck up there for good, hey?
Yup.
First XV.
You know what it takes to win a championship.
Which is why I've decided
I think you should coach the team.
Ah, co-coach the team.
I just...
I don't think my leg is strong enough.
We don't want you to play, Jamie.
We just
we just want you to...
You have Jamie, you take Josh too.
Um, that Josh?
Yeah. That Josh.
He's a handy player when he wants to be,
and you're down a front rower, so...
You'd agree the school has looked after you
after Pita passed away.
- Yes? - Yeah.
I mean, Jamie's taken pretty good care
of your trophy cabinet too.
You know what surprises me?
The fact that you think you deserve more.
St Gilbert's has given everything to this family.
Excellent education for your boys.
Employment for you.
You enjoy your job, don't you, Shirley?
As much as anyone can enjoy vacuuming,
Principal Slane.
This isn't something that I would ordinarily allow.
Yeah. Neither would I.
Yeah, well, if you want a Junior All Black
to coach your side to another championship,
these are our terms.
How do you feel about this, Jamie?
Deal.
That's the deal.
So be it.
There's a lot riding on this,
more than just for the school.
He'd better not let anyone down.
Is that your ride?
Yes.
The violence that erupted in Wellington last night,
which appears to have marked a turning point
in the government's response to protest action,
coincided with
Prime Minister Muldoon's attendance in London
at the wedding of Prince Charles
and Lady Diana Spencer...
Come on. First XV players
shouldn't be getting beaten up hills
by middle-aged women.
You're on your own next week.
I didn't even put my hand up for the First XV.
Yeah, well, someone had to.
Otherwise, you'd never put it up for anything.
Actually, there's this audition
for this performing arts school.
Oh, performing arts?
Sounds like a secure career move.
Where's the school, then?
Australia.
You're not going to Australia, mate.
Madigan says I'm a good actor.
Oh does he?
Well, he said I was not a crap one.
But that wasn't the subtext.
How long's this interest gonna last?
'Cause, you know, you've got a pretty patchy track record
with the stick ability.
I don't know. This feels different.
Kind of feels easier.
All right, well, let's say you get in.
How are you going to pay for it?
'Cause I don't think my paper route
and three cleaning jobs is going to cover it.
- I guess that's a no. - No, love.
I'm just trying to be realistic.
We have to know what's coming, right?
You playing in the First XV?
That is as sure a thing as it gets.
You make a good fist of it,
and Slane and that old-boys network
is going to be looking after you
for the rest of your life.
Just the way they're looking after Jamie.
Oh, Josh. Josh!
A word?
Just wondering if you had any more thoughts
about the audition.
Um... I'd be quite willing to help out
if you decided you wanted to go for it.
I'm in the First XV now.
Wow. First XV?
I'm going to be really busy
with a lot of rugby stuff.
Pushing stuff.
Yelling stuff.
Grabbing stuff.
All the... all the stuffs.
A lot of stuff.
Okay.
So you won't have time.
Well,
congratulations.
- Sorry. - Yeah.
I'm sorry too.
Pram Boy.
Dad said you stopped by the other day.
Sorry I missed you.
- How's your new friend? - She's good.
- You'd like her? - Would I?
I actually told her you'd be able to help us out.
Do you think you could get us a video camera?
Why?
We want to film the march to Carisbrook.
It's gonna be big.
So what? You're an activist now?
I agree with their fight.
Grace,
the school doesn't let us do things like that.
What, fight racism?
- No. - Think for yourself?
No, it's just, it's got nothing to do with me, Grace.
Like, I don't know why you told her
I would help her out.
I didn't even agree to it.
I thought you'd want to.
It's not as though you've got anything else to do.
Yeah, that just shows how much you know.
Are you jealous or something?
Ah, why would I be jealous of you?
You have a new best friend. Whoop-de-shit.
"Whoop-de-shit"?
Is there anything else you want?
Fine.
Sheep.
Good luck finding a helmet big enough for that hair.
Got a good opportunity here to use the whole team.
I mean, we've got the fastest wing in the comp,
but he doesn't see the ball
because we're so focussed on keeping it tight
with the forwards.
How are we meant to get it to him?
We bring the ball back blind,
skip pass to Toddy, and open space.
He'll know what to do from there.
All right. Stop.
Okay. Reserves swapping in.
Yeah, hi, I'm Josh.
Bind! Crouch!
- Oh, easy there, big fella. - What did you say?!
Pull your head in, ****.
Oh, for fu...
Reset! Up, up, up, up, up.
Homo!
Was that a question or a statement?
- What? - You know.
Was it a question like, "Am I a homo?"
Or was it a statement, like, "You're a homo"?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Say that again, boon!
- Get him. - Okay. Okay.
You've had your fun. You've had your fun.
Let's go. Let's go.
Lineouts.
22, please. 22.
Come on, let's finish off.
It was a joke.
Did anyone laugh?
My old teammates would have laughed.
That's why they're in the Seconds, not the First.
So they're in the Seconds
because they have a good sense of humour?
Just cut it out, man.
You... you're not going to get any respect
if you keep mucking around doing that weird stuff.
I do weird stuff at home all the time, Jamie.
Yeah, that's at home.
Yeah. Out here's the real world.
You can't be like that.
It's different, so you've got to be different.
You know? You get used to that and you'll be sweet.
Jamie was right. I was different.
I didn't know where I fitted.
I just knew it wasn't on the rugby field..
I forgot something.
I'll see you at home.
So pleased you changed your mind, Josh.
Okay, you're all booked in for Sunday.
I'll drive you there.
I suggest we meet every morning before school
to rehearse, okay?
You need one classical monologue,
but if you get through to the final audition,
you will need a modern and a personal monologue.
Let's just concentrate on the classical piece first.
Not get ahead of ourselves.
Ah, Shakespeare. Here we go.
Yep. Perfect. Merchant of Venice...
Oh! As You Like It...
It's got some really funny moments in there.
Shh!
Okay, shh.
I told you, no one can know about this.
All right. Do you think it's a good idea
if I go and talk to your mother about this first?
That's a terrible idea. I...
I just need prep time.
All right, well, I'll give you till next Sunday.
Then I'm talking to her myself, okay?
I'm not really good at keeping secrets.
Leave that for the priests.
Turning again.
- Turning again. - Turning again.
Crouch!
And engage!
Nice, boys! Reset!
Obviously, the police have to
act in accordance with the situation,
and if they're subjected to violence,
there's no way the police are going to be able to say.
"Well, this fellow's violent, I'm going home.".
Turning again.
- Action! - Turning again.
Hold that. There we go.
Here now, look, look, look.
Look here.
See? You see it?
- Yeah, yeah. - Yeah.
Let's watch it again.
- Do we have to? - Yep. Yep.
Turning again
toward childish treble,
pipes and whistles in his sound.
Last scene of all
that ends this strange, eventful history.
A second childishness and a mere oblivion.
Sans teeth.
Sans eyes.
Sans taste.
Sans everything.
Wow.
Looks pretty good from where I'm standing.
I think we're ready.
I don't know...
Something wrong?
It's just...
I felt like I was acting.
Yeah, you're acting.
That's... that's a good thing.
What is this?
It's a goblet.
Yeah, I mean, why am I holding it?
Hey, that's
that's your prop.
So when you do a scene, you've
you've got a prop.
It just enhances the whole thing.
It's just...
I know that Shakespeare was a genius and all,
but I don't know...
We don't really have time to rehearse
another monologue.
Okay.
Yeah, yeah. This will be fine.
It's more than fine.
I'm zooming in on the goblet and then panning across.
And then the magic begins.
Come on, St Gilbert's!
Come on, St Gilbert's.
Gilbert's! Gilbert's!
Let's play some ball.
Kia or a whānau. It's a beautiful day for it.
I'm going to need a little bit of help
from the crowd today.
Fun fact number one for everybody.
And that is, did you know
that the street that this school was built on
was actually built by Māori prisoners?
And the crime that the government
imprisoned them for?
Peacefully protesting
the illegal confiscation of their tribal lands.
Now, tell me, does that sound fair and equal to you all?
This is a game of rugby, not your soapbox.
Yeah, feel free to block me out, sir.
You know what they say about ignorance being bliss.
Okay, okay, piss off.
We've got a rugby game to play, all right?
Okay, and with that in mind,
we're gonna go with fun fact number two.
This street was built by Māori,
yet there don't seem to be any Māori on the street.
It's at times like this I like to play a little game
I call, "spot the Māori person.”
Okay?
- No. No. - Get off!
You, sir? A little bit of Māori?
No, never.
This is hard. No.
Oh, hey. Pram Boy.
No, no, no, no, no.
No. No.
No, no, no.
You having fun, Samantha?
Yeah, I'm not scared of them.
Well, I know that, but I'm scared of your nan,
and she'll kill me
if I don't get you home in one piece.
Go home! Go home! Go home!
It sounds like they want that too.
Go home!
Go home! Go home! Go home!
Need me to carry anything?
Yeah, all right, there you go.
Give it up for Officer Drybergh, everybody.
Thank you so much.
Good riddance!
About bloody time, hey?
- See you soon. - I hope not.
Hey, it's a reporter for you.
I think they want to talk about today's win.
Can you go in there and pretend to be me?
Nah, they'll be able to tell.
My voice is way ***ier than yours.
He seems better, doesn't he?
Yeah, I think so.
I'm covering Irene's shift tomorrow,
so I won't be around.
What are you going to get up to?
Nothing.
Look at this.
Ah...
Haven't seen that in a while.
What did you use to sing?
Oh, I don't know.
Something by the Yandall Sisters, probably.
Depends what year it was.
Let me see.
Ah, your dad's smiling, so it was nothing I chose.
What did you choose?
Nick Drake. All the way.
Sad British songwriters.
My bread and butter.
Yeah.
Not a natural fit
for your dad's Māori strum, though.
We managed to make it work, oddly enough.
You look really happy.
Probably drunk.
How long, like, did you and Dad...
I'll see you tomorrow night, all right?
Okay.
Night.
Sans teeth.
Sans eyes.
Sans taste.
Sans everything.
What happened to your goblet?
Congratulations, Joshua.
We'll see you in Christchurch for the final audition.
- That was wonderful. - Yes! Yup.
Namecheck me when you're famous, please.
I'm not in yet.
I know, but even getting this far...
It's a big achievement.
Your mum's gonna be proud.
Josh?
Not until after the final audition.
No, hey, come on.
Josh, no, that's not the deal.
She's your mother. She needs to know.
If you don't tell her, I'll tell her.
So she can stop me from doing the final audition?
I may never get in,
but at least for two weeks, I can pretend that I will.
Well, hang on.
Here.
I was saving that till you got through.
I knew you would.
Do not tell David you've got the full play.
He'll be furious.
Might be a bit more relatable for your contemporary piece.
What about my personal one?
Well, that you're gonna have to figure out for yourself.
Thanks.
We've actually devised these techniques
and they've been proven effective
in combat situations, okay?
So follow my lead
and you'll be all right come game time.
So, first things first,
you're gonna avoid impact by shifting left, yeah?
And then it's a hard palm downward.
Remove the truncheon, yeah?
And then you step forward, elbow up,
and you just apply the blow to the adam's apple.
Okay? And then you can pick up the truncheon
and use if necessary.
All right, so, at full speed, yeah?
Yep.
Bloody hell, Kenneth.
Good thing I don't have an adam's apple.
I wouldn't necessarily try that on a policeman.
Yeah, well, I would if it was self-defence.
Do you see the way those pricks
attacked the protesters in Wellington?
We're not going to stop animals like that
with re-enactments.
So, next up,
we have Suzie from TAB.
Thespians...
Against Bigotry.
Suzie.
We will be re-enacting
the 1976 Soweto massacre.
A lot of New Zealanders
are ignorant of the atrocities
that have occurred in South Africa,
which is why we want to raise their awareness.
Starting tomorrow, we will be performing
twice a day all around Dunedin.
Right now we have a cast of eight,
but we are in need of
at least ten more massacre victims.
No acting experience required.
Powerful stuff, Suzie. Yeah.
It's powerful stuff.
Thank you.
Right. Next up...
- Can I say something? - You're not on the run sheet.
Okay, well, can you put me on the run sheet?
Next up, chanting practice.
Okay, everybody.
♪ Amandla! Amandla! ♪
♪ Amandla Awethu! Amandla Awethu! ♪
♪ Amandla! Amandla! ♪
♪ Amandla Awethu! ♪
- Oh! - Oh, you
jumped down my key there, didn't you?
Sorry.
Ah, I'm sorry, is something wrong?
Um, sorry. It's just a bit shit.
What?
Okay, brutalising and killing Black South Africans?
That's real.
Okay, our government turning a blind eye to their suffering?
That's real.
You know, they've had heaps of practice
doing that to Māori for the past 150 years.
But you two harmonising your chants?
That's not real.
Okay? That doesn't matter.
We have the whole world watching us right now,
and we can't waste this moment.
I'm sorry, but who are you
to tell me what's real or not?
Mm?
Get over yourself.
I despise racism.
And just because I may not speak
with as much anger as you
doesn't make my perspective any less valid
or my pain any less real.
And if I feel like harmonising,
then by god, I am gonna harmonise.
If you want a harmonise, dear, you go for it.
Thank you.
Can I ask you, though,
what it was you were saying there?
I was just
wondering what the words meant.
Oh, shit.
Okay, so my math is not too flash.
Um...
Anybody, can you tell me what 10%
of 34 million is, please?
3.4 million.
Thank you.
3.4 million.
That's how many acres
the crown guaranteed to put aside for us
when we sold them this land.
3.4 million acres.
They returned 30,000.
You know, just 80 years ago,
there were less than 2000 of us
living on our own land.
My moko speaks with anger
because she's angry.
She knows what it is to belong to a land,
and at the same time,
be made to feel unwelcome on it.
I'm sorry, dear.
We can't just "get over it."
Because we're still going through it.
But we still here.
Because otherwise they just, like,
push you aside, and that's not fair.
Oh, hey. It's Pram Boy.
What are you doing here?
I... I don't really know.
Okay, well, while you're figuring that out,
do you reckon you could find out who vandalised our whare?
Uncle Pere said he saw someone in your school uniform
shifting around that night.
- Really? - Yeah, really.
I mean, he's 90 and he's got bad eyesight,
so it might not hold up in court, but
he's not a liar.
Oh. Ah
okay.
So, do you know what you're doing here yet?
- Ready? - Yeah.
Ka pai...
I didn't know all that about your people.
Oh, darling, they're your people too.
- Morning. - Oh, geez!
Should I give you a minute to change your undies?
I just wasn't expecting you today.
We can rehearse if you like.
Ah...
Could I borrow your camera?
May I ask why?
I'd prefer not to say.
More secrets then.
Brother Madigan, are you anti-tour?
Well, that's a curly one for this hour.
I guess I see myself as a behind-the-scenes protester.
You know, moral support.
A kind of covert operative, if you will.
I'm a coward, Josh.
Look, don't get me wrong.
I'm completely against apartheid.
It's just...
I'm also against losing my job,
so
you can understand my quandary there.
Slane would fire you?
Oh yes.
Yeah, I believe he would.
But he lets you do plays like Foreskin's Lament
- and drama group. - Yes.
Mainly because he doesn't know we're doing plays
like Foreskin's Lament..
Or that we have a drama group, for that matter.
Yeah.
Oddly enough, we're not a very high priority
here at St Gilbert's school for men.
When do you need the camera?
The Springboks left Invercargill
bound for Dunedin this morning
in preparation for today's game against Otago...
Escorting them north were the much-feared Red Squad,
a clear reminder from Prime Minister Muldoon
that those who are prepared to flout the law in Dunedin
will be offered little respite...
Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
- You right? - Yeah, yeah, I'm good.
I was just, ah
looking for nuts.
Nut for my bolt. Bolt for my nut.
Wait, you're going back to work?
Yeah.
Looks it.
Bad timing, though. I'm gonna miss the game.
Oh. I... forgot about that.
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
Oi, Josh, this way!
I think Nan's up here somewhere.
We don't want your racist tour!
You know how to work that thing?
- Yeah, I think so. - Good.
Make sure you shoot everything on the way to the ground.
When we get to the field,
I'm going to hang this on one of the goalposts.
My nan deserves to be on a pedestal,
so I'm going to make sure
she's on the biggest pedestal I can find.
Those goalposts are huge. You'll hurt yourself.
I'm a good climber, bro.
You just make sure that camera's turned on.
Wait, can't you just give it to her in person?
- What? - Well, yeah.
She's not going to be able to climb up the goalpost.
What?
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
Okay, here we go!
And batons out!
Hey, wait, no, this wasn't meant to happen.
Drybergh said he was going to let us march to the ground.
I don't think he's in charge anymore.
I've got to find Nan.
You come with me. You start filming.
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
Get ready.
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
Back off! **** off!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
Men! Move!
Move. Move. Move.
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
We don't want your racist tour!
One, two, three, four!
Leave him alone!
Did you get that?
Bloody rugby heads! That's it!
Get them!
Get up, doongy.
Hey! Nan!
Nan!
Help! Help!
Move! Fall back!
Stop!
Get off!
Move!
Camera!
Are you okay?
Josh.
Are you okay?
Samantha told me to film it.
- I need to film it. - You did.
You got heaps.
Josh.
You okay?
You understand
the position this has put me in, don't you?
Yes, sir.
He iwi tahi tātou. We are all one people.
It's a motto Jamie here epitomised
when he attended St Gilbert's.
No one is bigger than the team.
He doesn't think he's bigger
than the team, Principal Slane.
And yet he chose
to disobey my instructions
and cavort with the anti-tour mob.
Yeah, but... he stuffed up.
He's not going to do it again, are you, mate?
Unfortunately, Mrs. Waaka,
Joshua has made his bed
and now he has to lie in it.
In all respects, my decision was made
as soon as he chose to go on that march.
And further to that,
I find it impossible to believe
that you, as his mother,
had no knowledge of this.
- Therefore... - If they go...
then I go.
If you expel Josh
or you fire Mum,
then my time in the First XV is done.
We'll be inside in a minute, love.
You. I'd like a word.
Honestly,
just as Jamie's getting back on track,
you go and nearly sabotage everything in one go.
Your selfishness makes me sick.
Selfish? I wasn't being selfish.
Yes, you are!
And despite that,
he is willing to put everything on the line
to save your ***.
We were protesting. What's so bad about that?
Because they told you you'd get expelled from school
if you did that, that's why it's bad.
I hate that school!
And I wouldn't care if they expelled me.
Well, we'd be stuffed without the school, Josh.
I'm a Māori surrounded by white kids.
You don't know what it feels like.
You don't know what it feels like to not fit in.
What?
We left England
because my parents wouldn't accept Pita.
And then when we got here, his dad wouldn't accept me.
So where does that leave me now he's dead?
I've spent 20 years not fitting in.
Don't you tell me I don't know what it's like.
I just care what's happening to our people.
Your people?!
Your people is you and me and Jamie.
That's your people.
Want to know what I care about?
I care about earning enough money
to put food on the table.
And I care
that Jamie doesn't go back to hating his life so much
he wants to end it.
So...
You got one job, love.
You do whatever I need you to do
to keep this family together.
All right?
A huge game.
Yeah, those Dorklanders are gonna get it.
They're soft as.
It's Waaka.
No. Out.
Come on, miss. I want to get out a book.
To get out a book,
you first need to be able to read, Anderson.
- I can read. - Wow.
That'd be a first for your family.
*****.
Ooh. Whoops-a-daisy.
Don't mind me.
Ms. McMenigall.
For you, and none of them overdue.
In the return box.
I could just put them here if you like.
Save the middleman.
Return box.
Okay.
It's part of the process, isn't it?
In the return box. There we go.
Thank you.
Look at that. All of them.
Saw your picture in the paper.
Very dramatic.
Nice warmup for the audition.
Yeah.
I won't be doing that now.
Oh.
I realise it's the same day as the semi-final,
but I figured if I could pick you up
straight after the game,
we'll make it to Christchurch on time.
You have a voice that carries.
Sorry.
I've got a voice that carries.
Look, Josh, for what it's worth,
I'm really proud of you.
You raised your voice.
You achieved something.
I didn't achieve anything.
I put on a helmet and fell over.
That's not raising my voice.
It's a joke.
No, I still think what you did...
It doesn't matter what you think!
It doesn't matter what I think.
This is my life.
Playing rugby
and hiding in the library during lunchtime.
Why bother pretending it's anything else?
I said be quiet!
Who exactly are we being quiet for?
There's no one else here.
Hey.
Hi.
How's your arm?
It's a little better.
Nice photo.
Thanks.
I just wanted to let you know that.
Tui's in the hospital.
Wait, really?
We're not sure how serious it is.
Is Samantha okay?
That's why I came over.
I was wondering if you wanted to come with me
to the hospital.
Sorry. I can't.
Maybe it's best if we
don't hang out for a bit too.
It's just
there's a lot of things.
But...
Good talk.
It's just, you have it a lot easier than I do.
True.
Because Samoans have got it way easier than Māori.
You have it easier than this Māori, that's for sure!
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Yes. Yes. Down. Up. Up.
Up. Reset. Reset.
Can you give us an idea as to when we can go home?
We are still observing her.
Sorry, we're just too early to say anything.
And we want our fingers and our hands
always pointed towards the target at all times.
See that?
Nice, boys.
Nice one, boys.
- How is it? - Yeah, it's okay.
These won't help with the elbow, but
they might help you throwing straight.
They're the right prescription too.
I checked with Mum first.
Contacts.
- How expensive were they? - Bloody heaps.
It's just nice to have a bit of money
to spend for once.
They'll definitely help.
You know, they won't make me as good as you and Dad,
but maybe I might go from "really, really stink"
to just "stink."
You'll be all good.
Just stay off the front page of the newspaper from now on.
Do you think...
rugby made you better?
Well, I don't...
I don't know if I'm completely better.
I mean, every day is different.
But it's just...
It's good to be doing something that
feels easy again.
It comes naturally.
Rugby's all I know.
I mean...
When Dad died...
...it was my way of keeping him there.
Keeping him close to me.
And it also kept me going.
So, after the accident...
When you can't do the thing that makes...
you you...
It's just...
It's hard, you know?
Yeah, I know.
Oh, geez.
Is the B ground available?
This season
we've had obstacle after obstacle after obstacle
put in front of us,
and time and time again,
we have just gotten over it
or gotten around it.
We've had another bullshit obstacle
put in front of us...
by a bunch of pricks
who don't know the meaning of unity.
Well, let's go out there
and show them the meaning of unity.
Okay? Let's go out there and show them.
But this time, we're not going to go around it, okay?
We're going to go straight through
the bloody *******!
- Yeah we are! Come on! - Okay?
Yeah! Huddle up, huddle up, huddle up!
Take no prisoners, boys! Take no prisoners.
Ten on me. And!
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
- Again, hey! - Two, three, five!
- Yes. - That's what we need.
Oh, for...
We can't keep our hands on the bloody ball.
Come on.
Oh, Jesus.
This is on you, Waaka.
Come on, St Gilbert's!
- Sub! - Let's go!
Come on, boys.
You ready?
If only you had your leotards.
Just go out there and have some fun.
It'll be good.
Okay.
- Go, St Gilbert's! - St Gilbert's, let's go!
Go, St Gilbert's!
Hey, come on! Let's go!
- Ready, then. - Over here!
Go, go, go!
Yes!
Points up! 20-20!
To the final whistle, lads!
To the final whistle!
Yeah, you want some? You like that, huh?
See that scoreboard? See that scoreboard?
You want some too, huh?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah!
Whoo!
Yes!
We're in the finals, lads.
We're in the finals.
We're going to the finals.
You beauty.
Hey, beers and rugby at my place, lads.
Yeah, boys.
Beers and rugby at my place. 175 Rutland Street.
History is always on the side of the people...
Not armies, not policemen, and not governments...
History is always on the side of the people.
Grace.
Are you okay?
Love, what's happening?
Josh?
Josh, what happened?
Can you tape my audition?
- What, now? - Yes, now.
Please, now.
It's just, I mean...
We've missed the opportunity.
No. No, if
if you tape it now and you send it in,
and if it's good enough,
they have to let me in.
Josh...
I'm sorry I missed the audition.
I have to go to drama school.
Brother Madigan, I'm s...
I have to get out of here. Please.
Okay. We're good to go here, Josh.
Thank you.
You don't have to stay if you don't want to.
You sure?
Yeah.
Okay, well, you've got about a metre either side
of where you were there in the middle.
That's your performance space.
Any further and you're out of shot.
- Okay? - Okay.
Hey, Josh.
Good luck.
As you're aware,
there was an incident on Saturday night
that now has become a police matter.
They will be coming in to see me at some point today.
Although I'm sure many of you will feel
a sense of trepidation in this knowledge,
take comfort in the fact
that each and every one of you has an alibi.
Coach Bullivant assures me that all of you
were present and accounted for at his house
at the time of the incident.
This is the statement that I will be making to the police,
and if required,
this is the statement you will be making too.
Now,
is that clear?
Yes, sir.
Does anyone have anything to say?
He iwi tahi tātou, men.
He iwi tahi tātou.
Evening, Mrs. Waaka.
Oh, Brother Madigan.
You making a film?
Ah, no.
Um, I've just got something
I want to share with you, if that's okay.
Oh. Do you want to come in?
No, I won't keep you.
As you know, I've had some discussions with Josh
about trying out for drama school.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, we had a chat about that.
Well, he came to visit me
on Saturday night after the fire, and
he asked me to record an audition.
Did he?
Well...
Well, he knows that's off the cards.
Yes, and he did say that.
And by the way, I checked with the drama school,
and they will not accept a tape.
So, you've got no worries.
But I just couldn't bring myself to erasing this tape
without first giving it to you to have a look,
if you don't mind.
So, please.
You'll need this. This is the camera.
- Yes. - The AC adaptor.
- The AC adaptor, is it? - Which you'll need.
And here's the... the Portapak.
- The Portapak. Right. - Yes.
Which has most of the machinery.
Okay.
- Yeah, that's... - Okay.
It's very straightforward.
- Is it? - Yeah.
- Okay. - Please have a look.
Listen. He said you told him he wasn't crap.
At the acting.
Mm.
Josh is a really tricky kid to get to know, to be honest.
Oddly enough, I think it's when he's performing
that we get the best insight as to who he really is.
Well, that's my take on it.
And now the dance is done,
and I'm hanging up my boots.
What are you?
Kicking for the touch.
What are you?
Chucking it in.
What are you?
Can't play the game
or anymore wear the one-dimensional mask
of this moron's Mardi Gras,
where they ask you, "What are you?"
But they really
don't
want
to know.
What are you?
Everything okay, Mum?
Keep your shoes on, Josh.
Me and your dad used to come out here
after we first got married.
Not quite sure where this is going, Shirley.
Shush.
Yeah, not a lot of forethought's gone into this,
so
bear with me.
This place reminded him of home.
Coming here was like
going back without all the drama.
When your dad got sick. I had to be the anchor.
It's really hard.
You know, when you don't have anything to hook on to.
You have us.
That's the problem, isn't it?
It can't just be you.
I mean...
I've spent the last five years
just focusing on keeping the two of you alive.
And I hung on really tightly.
I...
I think I'm supposed to do the opposite.
Brother Madigan showed me your video.
It was so beautiful, Josh.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.
You know, I didn't just see you up on that stage.
I saw your dad.
I saw me.
Like that was half of me up there.
And it gave me hope.
Made me think
maybe one day I won't feel like
there's only you boys to hook on to.
- Corporal. - Sergeant.
Mum says thanks for letting us use the... use the pot.
It won't take a month next time to return.
This is good, see, because...
Grace has been blaming me for losing it.
But now I can pretend like I found it
- and be in the good books. - Right.
Okay.
Oh, she doesn't want to see you.
Because she's in the toilet.
Hey, oh, here she is, back from the toilet.
- Dad. - Yeah?
You don't need to broadcast everything!
We all go to the toilet, darling.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
Look, I found a pot, mm?
He had the pot.
You gave him the pot and you blame me.
Shh. Go.
Yeah.
Bye.
I came to ask how Tui was going.
She's still in the hospital.
For how long?
Samantha said they're keeping her in there
for observation.
Okay. Ah, well, thanks.
I'll let you know, though.
If anything happens.
Okay?
Okay. Cool.
Cool.
Go wash your hands, please.
We'd reached the final game of our season
and the final game of the tour...
And the country was more like the Incredible Hulk
than ever...
We were fighting injustice and ourselves
at the same time,
and there didn't seem to be any end in sight...
Not with everyone shouting and no one listening.
Today. Today. Today, boys.
Today, we have reached our Everest.
And we just need to take that last step
and plant our flag
on the mountain.
You lot!
You lot are Edmund Hillary.
And I'm Sherpa...
I'm... I'm the Sherpa.
Doesn't matter. I'm the Sherpa.
I've shepherded you up the mountain.
Yeah? I've carried your bags for you
and I've cooked your dinner on those little stoves.
The little gas stoves.
And we're all full.
And now we just need to take that last step.
We're finally here,
and we need to plant the flag.
Plant that flag, boys.
Grab it
and, and plant the flag.
On top of the mountain.
St Gilbert's!
And let's do this for each other!
- Yeah. Let's... - Let's go!
- Yeah. - Come on, boys!
Huddle up together. Huddle together.
Take no prisoners, boys. Take no prisoners.
You know what to do. We're gonna go out there.
- We're gonna kill them. - St Gilbert's!
We're gonna rip their throat out.
Hey, get up, boon!
Come on, boys. Here we go.
Get the job done, Waaka.
One, two, three, Gilbert's!
Get the hell up, Waaka!
What are you doing, boon?!
Get up!
Get off! Get off the ground.
Get off the field!
Move it. Get up.
We want to play a game of rugby.
You're a disgrace.
Let us play. This is a bloody joke.
Right.
We just sit here, do we?
Yeah, we just sit here.
Get them off the field, ref!
- Hey! - Get off the field!
Get up and get off this field right now.
I knew I should have gotten rid of you
when I had the chance.
Sorry, sir.
You must be regretting your decision.
Get off the field now!
You too, Shirley.
No, I'm all right, Derek. Thanks.
Quite comfortable here.
Get off the field!
Jamie. Jamie, get back on the sidelines.
Your father would be ashamed of you.
Do not talk about my father like you know him.
You don't.
You don't know me.
We were both just rugby players in your eyes.
Bugger it.
Get off the field.
Blow that whistle and get this game started.
They'll move.
That's not going to happen, mate.
Let's go, Xavier.
Come.
Ooh, heading our way.
Twelve o'clock, guys. Twelve o'clock.
Waaka!
Are they going to press charges?
Slane feels that
through the game being stopped,
Josh's protest
infringed on the school's freedom of movement.
On the school's freedom of movement?
Ah, thank you.
I'll... I'll be in touch.
I was at the team party the night of the fire.
I know Bullivant made an alibi for everyone,
but I can't see how he can vouch for everyone
when he was asleep for most of the night.
Bullivant's testimony was supported by Slane
and... and the captain.
Ultimately, it'll be... be your word against theirs.
Unless there's anyone else who was there
who can back you up.
Yeah, I think I can get most of them to back me up.
Thanks, Jamie.
Mrs Waaka. Josh.
I'll show you out.
Bloody hell, love.
The defeated Springboks
boarded a plane for home this afternoon,
leaving a battered country in its wake...
For a nation that has, up until now,
taken pride in its harmonious relations,
one question has emerged..
Where to from here?
Have you been waiting there the whole time?
I was waiting for him to leave.
Come in.
So...?
I think everything's going to be okay.
I'm relieved.
You wouldn't have survived in prison.
What's the paint for?
Tui got out of the hospital today.
Wait, really? She's fixed?
Hence...
Anyone want to go for a drive?
Oh, nice work, Pram Boy.
Who would have thought, hey?
This is Jamie. He knows how to build stuff.
This is my mum. She's good at everything else.
We don't know who this is, we just found her
on the street, actually,
and we just felt sorry for her.
Okay, awesome, well...
Jamie, maybe we'll
we'll get you to make sure
that Uncle Pere doesn't kill himself?
Uncle Pere, we've got you an apprentice.
Yeah. And...
Okay, Mrs. Waaka...
You can come and help me, dear.
I'm on tea. You're on bikkies.
I'll grab this.
Thank you.
I think we'll finish the sandwiches first.
Yeah. Okay.
I'm Shirley, by the way.
Yes, we know who you are.
And it's about time you stopped in.
So when are you and the boys going to go and see Pita next?
Oh, I don't know. Um...
Soon, hopefully.
Oh, that's good.
So, no need to go on your own.
There's plenty of us here that would enjoy a road trip.
Any excuse to get over and see the rellies.
We got you.
Hey, thank you.
Oh...
We all have our stories.
Wear yours with pride.
They're not there to pull us down.
They're there to push us forward.
Yeah?
Now, all the way to the corners.
No one likes naked sandwich.
- No naked sandwich. - No naked sandwiches.
Stop standing around and get to work, man.
Doing what? All the jobs are taken.
Make something up, then. You're good at that.
That winter, I stopped looking down
and I started looking up instead...
It's much easier to do that
when you know where you're coming from
and where you're going to...
We've all got different shapes...
Different voices...
It's not about changing them...
It's about hearing them...
Ko Josh Waaka toku ingoa...
My name is Josh Waaka...
Thank you for hearing me.
Kia or a whānau.
I know you guys are supposed to be on a break right now,
but, you know, I'm a big, big believer in active relaxation.
What? No, you're not.
Shut up, Jamie.
Ah! Thanks, Mum, for the song suggestion.
It was an old favourite of hers and Dad's,
and, obviously, looking around the room right now,
old is the operative word.
And, finally, I know you guys will be comparing me
to your last instructor.
Bloody get on with it, man.
Uncle Pere's about to seize up.
Um, are you guys ready to sweat, whānau?
- Give me a thumbs up. - Yeah!
All right, sweet as.
I like it.
Don't pop out a hip, please.
And one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
And one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Shoulder rolls, shoulder rolls,
back, back, back, back.
You guys know the grapevine? Yeah? Yeah?
Okay. One, two, three, kick!
One, two, three, kick!
One, two, three, kick.
One, two, three, kick!
Grab, grab, grab!
Grab, grab, grab, mm!
- Oh, Josh! - Grab, grab, grab, mm!
Mm! Grab, grab, grab.
Now, for you young guys, you want to get on the ground.
So we're just going to get you...
You're gonna pose.
That's nice.
That's us.
♪ The rain, baby ♪
♪ And in a bad situation ♪
♪ You know, you reach back here in my mind ♪
♪ And there you'll find your sweet, sweet inspiration ♪
♪ Sweet inspiration ♪
♪ Oh, what a power ♪
♪ And I've got the power ♪
♪ Every hour of the day ♪
♪ I need your sweet ♪
♪ Inspiration, yeah ♪
♪ To go on livin' ♪
♪ To keep on givin' this way ♪
♪ Oh yeah ♪
♪ I need your love sweet inspiration ♪
♪ Oh yeah, sweet inspiration ♪