DVD: The Strength of Water
M rating (suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over)
Contains violence, offensive language, and sex scenes
PAL Region 4 (NZ, Australia, Latin America incl Mexico)
Duration 83 mins

Told in a compellingly honest, sparse, yet beautiful manner, The Strength of Water is a story about the ties that bind us together.

Set in the haunting landscape of the Hokianga (Far North of New Zealand), this stunning film explores tragedy, despair and eventual hope through the struggles of the Kaneha family.

Ten-year-old twins Kimi (Hato Paparoa) and Melody (Melanie Mayall-Nahi) live happily in an isolated Maori community until teenage drifter Tai (Isaac Barber) arrives, precipitating an accident which forces the twins apart.

Without his sister, Kimi's world is thrown off balance.  While others punish Tai, Kimi acts out his heartbreaking loneliness in destructive, angry ways, at the same time looking after the Melody that only he can see.  His family is concerned for him, but only Kimi's belief in his sister can save him.  As he searches for answers, those around him have their own reactions.  His brother Gene seeks violent revenge, his parents grieve silently, watchfully; and lonely teenage girl Tirea finds a fragile kind of love with the outcast Tai.

Also starring Nancy Brunning (What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, Crooked Earth) and Jim Moriarty (The Waimate Conspiracy, The Returning), The Strength of Water is the acclaimed directorial debut from New Zealand director Armagan Ballantyne from a script by award-winning playwright Briar Grace-Smith.