Uproar

 This review may contain spoilers!

 

Uproar follows Josh Waaka, a young Māori teen at an all boys, predominantly white high school in the 1980s. New Zealand is right in the midst of the Springbok Tour and protests are underway; in amongst all that Josh grapples with his own identity and cultural heritage in a world that is telling him to just 'fit in'. Uproar is the sort of film you kind of hope most New Zealanders see, even if many won't. I felt remarkably more informed after watching this really engaging and human approach to discussing racism and cultural identity in New Zealand. This film really advertises itself as taking Josh on a journey from being told he has to fit in with the rugby lads to expressing himself through the discovery of dramatic performance. And that is an element of the narrative, but it's not the whole thing. What really sets this film apart is the character of Josh himself, this is a hilarious kid with a lot of sincerity and curiosity to him. Because of how he lives and the people he is surrounded by at school Josh often hides himself, he removes himself or moves away from the things that interest him or are directly calling out to him. Yet I loved seeing the discovery Josh makes within himself, the first step being the drama club where he gains confidence and expression. 

 

But the more compelling point is seeing this young Māori boy growing up with no connection to his Māori heritage wishing to explore that; and more than that, learning through the protests against the Springbok tour. When I was studying history at high school I can remember the Springbok Tour unit we did, but I really didn't learn much about the Māori perspective or how that event related to the injustices Māori had experienced within Aotearoa New Zealand - at that time or even right now. This film really genuinely talks about the importance of standing against racism, and applauds the protest action during the Springbok Tour but it also notes the work that still needed and needs to happen in New Zealand. Uproar stands up and states itself sincerely and without fault, it doesn't bluntly state the case it makes. This is a film that weaves you into the narrative and really spotlights an aspect of our history in a new light. I found this film refreshing, humourous, important, well-performed and timely.

 

The way this feature was shot was gorgeous, I loved the vistas of New Zealand scenery paired with the quaint and older Dunedin architecture. Yet the film is also great at holding arresting shots of the characters, telling inner thought or conversation with a few frames. I found the editing cut a really strong pace, I never dropped focus on the piece once. The soundtrack was phenomenal and really grounded the feature in the era and setting. I particularly loved 'Sweet Inspiration' by the Yandall Sisters at the end, it just returned this film back to the story of family and standing together that made it work so very well.

 

Rhys Darby, who played Madigan, is absolutely charming as this passionate English teacher; Darby really gets to flex his dramatic side in this role and I loved the scene in which he has to admit to feeling cowardly in the face of the Springbok Tour. Minnie Driver, who played Shirley Waaka, gives some of her best character work I've had the pleasure of watching in a while; Driver plays quite a woman with a very tough exterior which results in some heavy scenes between her and Dennison. Mark Mitchinson, who played Principal Slane, is absolutely perfect for the antagonist role of this film; Mitchinson has a stern old boys air to his character that lends a sense of superiority and dislikeability. James Rolleston, who played Jamie Waaka, has a very stoic figure with a more limited emotional depth which is explored well; I loved seeing the quiet spark of rebellion ignite with Rolleston's performance. Erana James, who played Samantha, is such an explosive radical figure at several points throughout the film; I loved how James crafted someone who stood so boldly for what she foguth for. Ascia Maybury, who played Mrs. MacMenigall, is quite a fun caricature of a strict librarian; Maybury has this wonderful scene where she berates a boy who was otherwise going to severely bully Dennison's role. Mabelle Dennison, who played Tui, is a quiet compassionate voice that delivers some of the most important lines in the feature; Dennison's performance is a reminder that even through struggle there is real power in kindness and love. Jada Fa'atui, who played Grace Ioane, really has a lot of chemistry with Dennison as best friend roles; I like the sharp banter that Fa'atui trades against her co-stars with ease.

 

However, the best performance came from Julian Dennison, who played Josh Waaka. Like most New Zealanders I really grew to enjoy Dennison as an actor through his performance of Ricky Baker. I also really grappled with my thoughts on his acting after seeing him in American blockbusters like Deadpool 2 or Godzilla vs. Kong. But this feature is really the pinnacle of what Dennison has to offer in such a young career. The way he found a quiet, reserved approach to portraying Josh while also bringing some serious comedic moments made him immediately interesting from the offset. This role pushed Dennison to be more dramatic, to show more inner conflict over the choices his character had to make and the obstacles he faced. I loved watching the raw frustration and anger Dennison brought as he expressed his feelings of not being able to connect to his Māori roots. The scene in which he performs Josh's monologue is one of those few moments in a career that will stand out for all time. I enjoyed watching Ricky Baker, but I loved watching Josh Waaka a whole lot more.

 

It is difficult to find much to say against Uproar at times, but I did feel that earlier in the film the blending of Josh as a character and the larger theme of Māori cultural identity during the Springbok tour didn't blend smoothly. Josh's story felt easygoing at first, it wasn't urgent but the Tour storyline felt present and in your face almost immediately. Once the film finds it's equilibrium and takes stride is when the feature as a whole becomes really impressive.

 

Byron Coll, who played Bullivant, was an odd comedic minor antagonist that felt weirdly placed in the feature; there were many scenes that I felt Coll's presence intruded on more than anything else.

To describe this film as one of the best New Zealand films this year would be an understatement, this is one of my favourite New Zealand films ever. I would give Uproar a 9/10.