By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
When Shakespeare was composing plays of love and revenge, he had no concept of aroha and utu.
But modern Maori do not hold that against him.
A Shakespearean classic is being made into a feature film, with all the speaking parts in Maori.
He Taonga Films started shooting Te Tangata Whai Rawa O Weneti (The Merchant of Venice) in Auckland this week on a $2.4 million budget.
The production, involving a cast of more than 220, is the first Maori film version of a Shakespearean play.
"And it sounds absolutely beautiful," said director and executive producer Don Selwyn, a leading television and theatrical actor.
"We're going to introduce the Maori language through Shakespeare to the world through this. It's also going to make Shakespeare more accessible to Maori."
Selwyn said the play was translated into Maori in 1946 by scholar Dr Pei Te Hirinui, who wanted to make the Bard more relevant to Maori.
The Merchant of Venice is the revenge drama of Jewish moneylender Shylock and his quest for a pound of Christian merchant Antonio's flesh as payment for an unpaid debt.
The 26 speaking parts in the film are played largely by unknown actors. French and Moroccan people living in New Zealand are also taking part to complete the ethnic mix "that sustains the drama of the play."
Selwyn said he never expected to produce Shakespeare as a Maori feature film after gaining 37 per cent in School Certificate English.
Reaction to the production had ranged from cynicism to excitment.
"All over the world other ethnic languages are being used, so why not Maori?"
The film, due for release in August, is being financed by Te Mangai Paho, the Maori language broadcasting agency.
Mr Selwyn hopes to release the movie on the commercial market. Schools and universities could also use it as a language resource.
He Taonga Films' past productions have included Nga Puna, a television drama series.
Language test for Shakespeare play
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