We were at the TIFF premiere of Muru with actor Jay Ryan and director Tearepa Kahi to discuss why this movie was such a passion project for both Kahi and Ryan. Inspired by actual events, Muru is the story of a local Police Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tāwharau (Cliff Curtis), who must choose between duty to his badge or his people when the Government invokes anti-terrorism powers to launch an armed raid on Taffy’s remote Urewera community, on a school day. Ryan said he was looking for a movie with gravity and weight while keeping true to New Zealand yet having something substantial to say. Ryan's character struggles in the film between his duties and his humanity which is quite interesting to watch. Meanwhile, Kahi said there was so much behind making this film, including portraying its truth while never shying away from something that might be hard to watch. He said this film had to be made to bring light to a situation some may have forgotten while reminding us that it's okay to forgive but never to forget; otherwise, we are doomed to repeat it. 
Host: Monica Gleberman
Editor: Corinna Caimi
Social Media Graphic: Jojo
--
Synopsis:
Inspired by actual events, MURU is the powerful story of a local Police Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tāwharau, who recently returned home to the remote Ruatoki valley to look after his sick father.
Taffy’s father’s close associate, Tame Iti runs a series of boot camps in the valley called ‘Rama’ (fire light). These camps are centered around survival skills and keeping their shared Tūhoe identity alive. Despite many invitations, Taffy has never attended Camp Rama. Unknown to everyone in the valley, Rama has been under police surveillance for six months. When a troubled youth (Rusty) fires a loaded rifle, surveillance footage triggers a response led by Captain Gallagher and an elite STG unit. With pressure mounting to intervene, Gallagher starts to doubt the veracity of Tame Iti as a potential domestic terrorist. Tensions heighten when Rusty is caught in a domestic disturbance, and rather than locking him up; Taffy takes Rusty to Camp Rama to deal with the situation. While Rusty joins the Rama circle and learns about his Tūhoe identity, Taffy sees a dark shape beyond the campfire and gives chase. Taffy pursues the runner through the bush and discovers a surveillance van. Gallagher steps out and confronts Taffy, 'Are you with us, or are you with Tame?' Taffy senses the danger to his community and chooses to help Gallagher facilitate a safe round-up of Tame and other targets. Still, the Government betrays this agreement when Gallagher launches the Police Raid on a school day. During the raid, something goes wrong, leading Taffy to make a bigger choice, 'serve or protect'.
This gripping action drama is not a re-creation but a response to the 2007 Tūhoe raids. MURU is a Māori concept for 'forgiveness’.
*To buy tickets to screen this film, check out the TIFF website: https://www.tiff.net/events/muru 
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SilenceonSet and Instagram @SilenceonSetPod