Her Majesty
As a small New Zealand town prepares for a once-in-a-lifetime royal visit, a popular thirteen-year old girl, Elizabeth, who dreams of meeting the Queen, finds her fervent hopes put in jeopardy when she develops an unlikely, life-changing friendship with Hira, an elderly Maori woman outcast from society.
Elizabeth's true character is tested when she must choose between marching in the ceremonial parade of her dreams with a chance to personally meet the Queen and her loyalty to Hira, whose defiant insistence on maintaining and defending her home against all odds teaches Elizabeth the importance of standing up for what she believes in.
Winner of Best Actress at the San Diego Film Festival. Winner of Best Costume Design at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards.
"Gordon's nifty scenario juggles various aspects -- ordinary brink-of-adolescence growing pains, multicultural-tolerance lessons, suspense gambits -- with entertaining skill." - Dennis Harvey, Variety
Running Time
105 mins
Year
2001
Kanopy ID
4467643
Filmmakers
Features
Alison Routledge, Anna Sheridan, Liddy Holloway, Mark Clare, Sally Andrews, Stuart Devenie, Vicky Haughton
Languages
Subjects
Show More
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Comments (8)
Hi Toni,
Thanks for the feedback. If you’re referring to Vicky Haughton, the actress who plays the kuia Hira Mata in the film, she is Maori.
Overly sweet and VERY 1950s. Would have been lovely if they had cast a real Maori. Still, truth and goodness saved the day. That is worth something.
A very touching and well-done movie where love and truth wins.
A warm and charming film with a significant message.
Today movies are so fake and violent, but this one was quite pleasing to watch. More should be made for our children today.
Oppression is real. So many cultures shredded with intention. Aboriginal tales far and wide like this will help us know a different history than the rubbish I was fed in school. I agree with "Jody" in the comments below. This flick is a great addition to Truth and Reconciliation in Canada ...Read more
Oppression is real. So many cultures shredded with intention. Aboriginal tales far and wide like this will help us know a different history than the rubbish I was fed in school. I agree with "Jody" in the comments below. This flick is a great addition to Truth and Reconciliation in Canada History Studies ox M
Read lessCanada REALLY needs movies like this. It would certainly help with Truth and Reconciliation efforts. Well done NZ!
In essential illustration of true nobility. I could not have loved it more!