April 15, 2019
Baron To’a draws all star Māori and Pasifika cast
An all-star Pasifika and Māori cast has been assembled in Tāmaki Makaurau for a new action film.
The Legend of Baron To’a is the first film as director for Kiel McNaughton.
It features Uli Latukefu, who has been in Alien: Covenant and Marco Polo from Nathaniel Lees from The Matrix Reloaded, Jay Laga’aia whose credits include Star Wars, John Tui who had roles in Battleship and Hobbs & Shaw, and Shortland Street alumni Shavaughn Ruakere and Pua Magasiva.
The film tells the story of a Tongan entrepreneur who returns to his old neighbourhood and inadvertently causes the theft of his late father’s pro wrestling title belt by ruthless gangsters, which he has to win back.
McNaughton and producer Kerry Warkia were previously responsible for the critically acclaimed films Waru and Vai and TV series, Auckland Daze, This is Piki and Find Me A Māori Bride.
Filming starts today and runs through to the end of May.
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