NZIFF 2019 Q&A - Tearepa Kahi for HERBS: Songs of Freedom

NZIFF 2019 Q&A - Tearepa Kahi for HERBS: Songs of Freedom

HERBS: Songs of Freedom will receive its world premiere at the NZ International Film Festival on August 3rd, followed by a nationwide general release on August 15th

My film is....
HERBS: Songs of Freedom

The moment I'm most proud of is....
Seeing these men sound checking together together for the first time in 39 years.

The reason I carried on with this film when it got tough is.....
Belief. Belief in them, belief in their music and belief in the idea that a guitar can be a powerful tool for change.

The one moment that will resonate with an audience is.......
Listening to Tama Renata, sing goodbye to his dearly departed friend, Charlie Tumahai.

The hardest thing I had to cut from this film is........ 
More amazing music.

The thing I want people to take from this film is ...... 
'Uncles matter' and 'nothing heals like music'.

The reason I love the NZIFF is.......
The way it delivers on its promise every year to bring the hearts, minds and imaginations of the year's greatest story tellers into our world, during Matariki.

What I want to see at this year's NZIFF is......Les Miserables and Maria By Callas and lots and lots of others.

The one thing I'd say to aspiring filmmakers is.....
Never be afraid to throw away the map and get lost.