This Way Of Life - Cloud South Films (Trailer 2)

Shot over four years, This Way of Life is an intimate portrait of Peter Karena and his family. Masterful in the saddle and Hollywood handsome, Peter lives by an internal code of values and honor largely lost in modern times. Though European, Peter was adopted into a Maori family and is Maori in all but skin. He is a horse-whisperer, philosopher, hunter, and builder, a husband and father. Despite seemingly overwhelming challenges, Peter refuses to compromise. Especially troubling to Peter is his broken relationship with his adopted father a malevolent man who refuses to leave him alone.

Peters wife Colleen Karena (Ngati Maniapoto) is the keeper of her familys taonga tuku iho (heritage). A true matriarch, Colleen sees family as the center of the universe and mothering as the worlds most important job. As the film progresses, we discover her quiet exterior conceals a profound and beautifully articulated approach to parenting resulting in the physical competence and emotional openness of her children.

The film portrays the intimate life of the Karena family. In their early 30s, Peter and Colleen have six kids and 50 horses. We follow them up into the Ruahine ranges and down to their hidden beach camp. Against these isolated backdrops we explore family relationships, their connection to nature, their keen survival skills and their absolute intimacy with each other and their horses.

We watch as Peter and Colleen celebrate the birth of a child and cope with a late miscarriage. Their attempts to navigate the discord between Peter and his father culminate in the theft of his valuable herd of horses and the burning of their beloved family home. Now homeless, we watch as Peter steers his family toward a new way of living and being. Regardless of their hardships, the Karenas manage to never lose sight of the magic in the everyday.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Karena children. Untamed and unafraid, the idea of risk is alien to them. To watch seven-year-old Aurora expertly ride a massive stallion bareback with no more than a rope halter asks us to reexamine our ideas of what children are capable of.

In This Way of Life, the Karenas unite their philosophy with their circumstances, turning hardship into a meaningful and satisfying life.

www.thiswayoflifemovie.com

This Way Of Life, Peter and Colleen Karena, True Story, Documentary, Cloud South Films, Ngati Maniapoto, Ruahine Ranges, New Zealand, Film Festival, Hardship, Meaningful, Life, Love, Peace, Nature

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• This Way Of Life
• Peter and Colleen Karena
• True Story
• Documentary
• Cloud South Films
• Ngati Maniapoto
• Ruahine Ranges
• New Zealand
• Film Festival
• Hardship
• Meaningful
• Life
• Love
• Peace
• Nature

[laffzallot]

Wasn't it family that burnt the Karenas home down? Why have enemies when you can have family like that huh?

[Purrfectstranger]

I haven't see the movie but from what I gather, yes it was but I'm not too sure from which side; Peter or Colleens. It's pretty sad when families war to a degree where valuable possessions are burnt to the ground. Thank goodness they all survived.

[SassyNZfeet]

I saw this movie at the Film Festival last year and I was totally moved by the sheer stamina of Colleen. An amazing and very beautiful movie that will question your own existence for sure! Highly recommend to everyone. Thanks for posting.

[Purrfectstranger]

I heard about this movie and the Karena family only a week ago yet this was played in July 09? New Zealand did a piss poor job in promoting the International Film Festival. Thanks for passing by.

[HanoverianHorse]

It looks like a very tough but ultimately fulfilling way of life. I wish I could ride my horse bareback as well as that! They're so lucky to have such willing horses - a good horse is evidence of good people. How you treat your horses indicates how you view life. Thanks for posting this; it's inspiring. Wish I could see the whole movie.

[Julka3838]

@HanoverianHorse: If you are still interested in the movie: It is available as a legal download on onlinefilm(dot)org. You can purchase it there for 6 € to 8 € (Stream and Download). Have fun!

[tindallster]

It was Peters father that burnt down his family's home and stole his horses from him, he told me personally. I'm seeing the movie to night!!!

[julesandflossy]

It's a bit risky to speculate on who burned down the house. The police would have pressed charges if it was known. Best not to guess, especially not publicly. Whoever did it knows who they are at least.