New Zealand film "Once Were Warriors" to be screened April 26, 2013

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Still from film "Once Were Warriors" (New Zealand, 1995, directed by Lee Tamahori

ALBANY, NY (04/04/2013)(readMedia)-- ONCE WERE WARRIORS (New Zealand, 1995, 102 minutes, color, in English and Maori with English subtitles, directed by Lee Tamahori) will be shown on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue, on the University at Albany's downtown campus. Sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute and UAlbany's School of Criminal Justice as part of the Institute's Classic Film Series, the screening is free and open to the public.

Set in a public housing project in Auckland, New Zealand, ONCE WERE WARRIORS tells the story of a modern-day Maori family plagued by domestic violence, crime, poverty, and alcohol abuse. Directed by Maori filmmaker Lee Tamahori, the film is based on a bestselling novel by Maori author Alan Duff. Austin Chronicle reviewer Marjorie Baumgarten said, "Harrowing.... both culturally specific and broadly universal.... the film's searing performances are matched by the lovely camerawork of cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh (THE PIANO)."

ONCE WERE WARRIORS is the third and final film in the continuation of a mini-series within the Classic Film Series entitled Justice & Multiculturalism in the 21st Century. The series aims to engage conversation about the intersection of social justice issues and criminal justice in an increasingly diverse society.

For additional information contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst.

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