fire in the water, fire in the sky
To live is to dance.
Tia has always survived – but in turn she has forgotten how to dance.
Sisters Tia and Ina are far from home. Tia is steadfast and protective of free-spirited Ina. Tia is focused on each labouring job ahead of them. Phone calls home to their family a reminder of why they must continue. Ina is wild, carefree, her spirit only slightly dampened by the push and focus of Tia.
The younger sister brightens when her want to play, to dance, is encouraged by the keeper of the house, Tee. A friend to both sisters and a safe haven for them too, Tee struggles with the reality of their situation.
A story of migration, fire in the water, fire in the sky is a statement inspired by climate change.
From Te Moana-nui-a-kiva – the South Pacific Ocean – and told in Cook Islands Māori & English. A short film by Mīria George.
An award winning short film, fire in the water, fire in the sky was recognised for Cinematography with a Special Mention award from the New Zealand International Film Festival.
Currently screening in the Hawai’i International Film Festival 2021, New Zealand International Film Festival 2021 & Pollywood Pasifika Film Festival 2021.
CAST Evotia-Rose Araiti, Samoana Nokise & Te Hau Winitana
WRITER & DIRECTOR Mīria George
LANGUAGE ADVISORS Tupu Araiti & Peter Winchester
IWI KAITIAKI & DOC RANGER Gemma Wright
DOC RANGERS Jeff Hall & Evan Ward
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Elise Lanigan
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA David Russell
2nd ASSISTANT CAMERA Erin Murphy
GAFFER Michelle Cameron
EDITOR Lala Rolls
COLOUR GRADER Glenys Perry
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTORS Natano Keni & Karena Letham
ART DEPARTMENT Tony De Goldi
SOUND RECORDIST & DESIGNER Trent Williams
MUSIC COMPOSER Karnan Saba
COSTUME DESIGNER, HAIR & MUA Natala Gwiazdzinski
WARDROBE ASSISTANT Cara Louise Waretini
SCRIPT EDITORS Hone Kouka & Sarita So
LINE PRODUCER Sarita So
PRODUCER Hone Kouka
Ka nui ngā mihi ki ngā tangata whenua o te rohe nei! E ngā iwi o Taranaki Whānui ki Te Ūpoko o Te Ika a Maui, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ngā mihi mahana e kia manuia ki a kotou katoatoa.
Inspired by the live performance installation fire in the water, fire in the sky, created by Mīria George & devised by Te Hau Winitana, Mapihi Kelland, Irie Manarangi Mua & Amanda Noblett, Costume Design by Cara Waretini, Props by Tony De Gold. First performed at Kia Mau Festival, 2017, in Te Ūpoko o te Ika a Maui, partnered by Creative New Zealand. fire in the water, fire in the sky was developed at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa Campus, in 2017 as part of the Fulbright Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer in Residence Programme.
Ngā mihi mahana e meitaki ranuinui ki a koutou Annie Collins, Chris Ward, Jason Stutter, Tusi Tamasese, Anaru Dalziel, Pikihuia Haenga, Huia Gray me ngā uri o Te Moana nui a Kiva.
