White Lies

White Lies is a 2013 New Zealand drama film based on the novella by Witi Ihimaera (author of Whale Rider)…a story about the nature of identity: those who deny it and those who strive to protect it.

Paraiti (Whirimako Black) is a medicine woman. She is the healer and midwife of her rural, tribal people – she believes in life. But new laws are in force prohibiting unlicensed healers.

On a rare trip to the city, she is approached by Maraea (Rachel House), the servant of a wealthy woman, Rebecca (Antonia Prebble), who seeks her knowledge and assistance in order to hide a secret which could destroy Rebecca’s position in European settler society.

If the secret is uncovered a life may be lost, but hiding it may also have fatal onsequences. So Paraiti, Maraea and Rebecca become players in a head-on clash of beliefs, deception and ultimate salvation.

Special Features:

• Interviews with Producer John Barnett, Writer Witi Ihimaera, Director Dana Rotberg, cast members Antonia Prebble, Whirimako Black and Rachel House
• Theatrical trailer

Critic Reviews:

• " Thematically, White Lies is essential cinema, unafraid to delve into female issues even contemporary societies grapple with. " – Tomris Laffly

• " A solid feminine melodrama about the colonial/racist past of the director's adoptive country. " – Ernesto Diezmartinez

• " A deeply moving reminder of man's inhumanity to man in less enlightened times. " – Kam Williams