Trailer for This Way of Life - www.thiswayoflifemovie.com (See second tab for a 12 min clip from the film.)
What do I do for a living? I live for a living.
Shortlisted for the 2011 Academy Awards This Way of Life is a lush and evocative portrait of an inspiring and maverick Maori family living on the edge of the world. Peter and Colleen Ottley-Karena live with their six kids and 50 horses in the almost wild freedom of New Zealand's isolated mountains. Until Peter’s escalating battle with his own father has profound consequences.
Comments from IMDB:
Like crossing the road. Just stop, look and listen to this documentary.... by nzcrawfords (New Zealand) – 4 April 2010
"Lifting the lid on another world; a gentler, kinder, calmer, slower, less consuming world which a number of us caught in our own wee rutted worlds love to hear about. Documentary mode worked well - the focus on "the man of the house" was evident but fantastically accompanied, and clearly made possible by, his stoic wife and his delightfully ALIVE kids. Most poetic part of the film is the metaphor-making moment when the son falls from a horse (which looks massive compared to the wee fella!). He stamps his feet in anger/frustration in the sand.... and then climbs back on the horse (helped by his Dad). Classic. A gentler, simpler time for us all to be reminded of. Happiness doesn't live in long-life cartons down aisle 4 of the supermarket; nor does it come with a 3 pin plug and only in need of 240volts!! My wife loved the horse/rider scenes in the water and the swimming/jumping off rocks with the kids - I thought the naked scenes were a tad gratuitous/sensational (perhaps some jealousy on my part I am prepared to admit !) I don't doubt it was absolutely natural, but it came across to me as a tad intrusive in that case. All up, a great reminder for us all of to take stock, consider our needs versus our manufactured/manipulated demands. A man who didn't even consider being afraid to share the simple truths of his feelings. Nice one."
One of the most poignant documentaries I've seen joncathb from North Vancouver, Canada 14 December 2010
"Our family just finished watching This Way of Life on Knowledge Network, and all I can say is not a word was spoken through the whole program. I was amazed at this family's strength, love and grace. I must admit I had tears streaming down my face many times, my husband wiped at his eyes a few times as well. What struck me so hard was Peter at times almost speaking lovingly of this man who was never a father to him. How horrible for the father to live with such anger, hate and resentment. It also made me wonder where his mother was through all this. Colleen was beautiful, caring and sensitive and a wonderful mother. Thank you for bringing this to us. It's a film our family will never forget."