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White Lies

  • 2013
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
601
YOUR RATING
White Lies (2013)
A medicine woman - a giver of life - is asked to hide a secret which may protect one life but which will destroy another.
1
 
Play trailer2:09
1
1 Video
1 Photo
Drama

A medicine woman--a giver of life--is asked to hide a secret which might protect one life but will definitely destroy another.A medicine woman--a giver of life--is asked to hide a secret which might protect one life but will definitely destroy another.A medicine woman--a giver of life--is asked to hide a secret which might protect one life but will definitely destroy another.

  • Director
    • Dana Rotberg
  • Writers
    • Dana Rotberg
    • Witi Ihimaera
  • Stars
    • Whirimako Black
    • Rachel House
    • Antonia Prebble
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    601
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dana Rotberg
    • Writers
      • Dana Rotberg
      • Witi Ihimaera
    • Stars
      • Whirimako Black
      • Rachel House
      • Antonia Prebble
    STREAMING
    Watch on Prime Video
    Watch on Fandor
    RENT/BUY
    Watch on Prime Video
    from $0.99
    • 18User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:09
    Official Trailer
    1

    Photos

    Top cast29

    Edit
    Whirimako Black
    • Paraiti
    Rachel House
    Rachel House
    • Maraea
    Antonia Prebble
    Antonia Prebble
    • Rebecca
    Nancy Brunning
    Nancy Brunning
    • Horiana
    Te Waimarie Kessell
    • Aroha
    Kohuorangi Ta Whara
    • Wirepa
    Elizabeth Hawthorne
    Elizabeth Hawthorne
    • Hospital Matron
    Te Ahurei Rakuraku
    • Young Paraiti
    Tahuri o te Rangi Trainor Tait
    • Paraiti's Grandfather
    Kyle Pryor
    Kyle Pryor
    • Soldier
    Rawiri Waiariki
    • Horiana's Grandchild
    Te Whenua Te Kurapa
    • Pirimahana
    Tangiroa Tawhara
    • Woman With Bad Leg
    Vanessa Paraki
    • Limping Girl
    Phil Peleton
    Phil Peleton
    • Chemist
    Juanita Hepi
    • Pharmacy Worker
    Rina Kenovi'c
    • Girl at Cinema
    Kate Stalker
    • Woman at Cinema
    • Director
      • Dana Rotberg
    • Writers
      • Dana Rotberg
      • Witi Ihimaera
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    7.0601
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    Featured reviews

    10bettydoes

    Survival and identity

    I loved it. The dialog was clunky but the performances were mighty and made up for it. I thought the 3 leads were fantastic. I wanted to know more about them all. I've been quite taken aback at the drastically opposing opinions. It's split my friends and family although I have to say the majority have absolutely loved but a few have disliked intensely. We've had a few arguments mostly because they felt picked on as white New Zealanders. I didn't, it was just too interesting. Such polarising views says a lot about the director. I felt she presented a very strong and unforgiving view of her interpretation of our history. Design and cinematography were outstanding. Bravo.
    9metaphorphis

    Brilliant!

    I agree with the majority of these reviews. I was looking up to see what other films one of the actors on White lies had been in (Taika's film Boy, must watch it again) and well I'm kind of freaked out with the luvnotwar person. Top of the Lake and White lies are both so accomplished! What on earth? Sure, a few faults here and there for both but I wouldn't think that the acting in either deserved moaning about. Yes, Elizabeth Moss accent was weird in a few places but being a character who had traveled all over the world it is little wonder the accent strays. Have you heard Anna Paquin being herself lately? Crazy accent. Very cool. And the performance of Elizabeth Moss was brilliant. There is a style of acting my mate reckons we've become accustomed to in this country. A friend, an actor, calls it "soft whisper acting". I will not attach it to any show but it definitely seems a requirement for some local drama I've watched lately and it works perfectly well too. I loved the boldness of all the actors in Top of the Lake and White Lies. I've mostly seen Rachel House, Nancy Brunning and Elizabeth Hawthorne in theatre shows some years ago now. They were fabulous in White Lies. I heard Antonia was great in Outrageous Fortune. I've been away for a few years, didn't have time to lock in to Blue Rose on my return. Anyway, thanks for annoying me enough to become a member. Might go and score some other films now. White Lies is intense and definitely worth seeing. Still thinking about it. Take a hankie.
    9nealhugh17

    Always important to show these stories

    Important and heartful. All children can benefit. THESE STORIES ARE MEANINGFUL AND NEED TO BE TOLD. CONGRATS TO DR.
    10dennis-j-hogan

    Superb Film

    This was a superb film highlighting the clash of cultures and the ramifications resulting therefrom. In this case, it is a clash between traditional Maori and English colonial cultures. What is the value of culture and what is the price of conformity?

    It is a well-developed movie. The acting was very good. The characterization was rigid and predictable based upon a viewer's initial observation of the characters and their respective roles, which actually enhanced the maintenance of the secret until late in the movie. Clues are provided that almost reach the level of red-herrings, but they are real clues with multiple interpretations that become clear as the movie progresses. All is not as it originally seems.

    I happened to be on an Air New Zealand flight that offered a selection of New Zealand-made films or I probably never would have had the opportunity to see this excellent film. If I had a vote, it would get my vote for best foreign film.
    8konketsuji72

    Perfect title

    Despite the myopic comment referring to the title being inappropriate, it couldn't be more valid to the story line. A "White Lie" is a lie that is perceived as being harmless or trivial and told to avoid hurting another persons feelings. This is exactly the theme. It is a story set in the post-colonial period of New Zealand where cultural beliefs clashed heavily against one another. It was a time where necessity often meant that people would have to give up their identities in order survive in an environment that had very little opportunity (or compassion) for the native race that had suffered the typical injustices of colonialism. Against this backdrop is the story of a mother and her daughter who are trapped in a lie - a lie that separates them from their culture, as well as from each other. It is to a very sad extent that the mother drives her daughter to an impossible way of life all for the sake of blending in and the perception of wealth and well-being.

    An incident drives her mother back to her native roots to find a solution for her daughter - who is facing severe consequences, possibly fatal. From this point the mothers fears and lies are confronted.

    It is a slow, quiet but very emotional tale. The three main characters portray this emotion wonderfully.

    Admittedly, this may not be a tale for everyone, but it does try to convey the struggles that were undoubtedly common for this time period. And as such, the way the movie depicted a mothers love for her daughter and the extent she will go to give her what she thinks her daughter needs, suited the era it was set in.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was a pleasant surprise.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Official submission of New Zealand to the Oscars 2014 Best Foreign-Language Film category.

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 28, 2013 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • South Pacific Pictures
    • Languages
      • Maori
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tuakiri Huna
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production company
      • South Pacific Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,760
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,740
      • Mar 6, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $457,346
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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