I could not stop watching this anymore than one can put a good book down. the best dialogue and story line, I found the energy medicine and the symbolism powerful, transporting me back to time and place, very moving.

What makes for a successful life? What are people prepared to do to be accepted within what they perceive to be a successful life? To claim a life they think is of a better quality than what they are born to. Being of mixed blood, what makes one more or less of which lineage?We are taken into the lives of 3 feminine roles in Colonial NZ. One (Whirimako Black) is a childless old Crone, full blood Maori, who is unlawfully practising medicinal rites like those of a Tohunga, but in Midwifery - flouting The Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 which was intended to stop people using traditional Māori healing practices which had a spiritual element. Another, (Rachel House), middle-aged Mother ("half-caste") is living the life of a slave/servant to the third, (Antonia Prebble) the Maiden wife ("1/4 cast") an upper-class English-European wife. In their roles, which one is suffering most? Which one has given up the wild feminine? Which one is the slave? Which one is free? Who is living a successful and happy life? These are the questions that are tackled within the film. Little love is expressed between the 3, but cloaked in silence, the love runs deep regardless and the sacrifices made are proof of the love, albeit misguided and ultimately destructive.The cycle has come full circle since colonial days. Not belonging to either culture is often not acknowledged because we live in a world whereby we judge instantly, unconsciously, like judging a book by the cover. Once upon a time ... opposites attract. The racial divide is still running deep on our shores from all shades of brown & white, even though there are no full blooded EnglishKiwi or MaoriKiwi left among us.An interesting topic and subject to reflect upon Colonial NZ society. Many mixed marriages were openly accepted and the life of a settler was hard no matter what colour the skin. In the case of the film though, this is not ordinary settlers we are dealing with. This is rich elite English-European society and old time Maori.The most encompassing sentence was that of Rachel House when she spoke of not belonging to either culture.I liked the whimsical nature of the film, the romantic white horse, the dog, the art deco elements within the homestead, the silk and fires. I am going to find the novella by Witi Ihimaera - Medicine Woman, from Ask The Posts Of The House. John Psathas music was lovely as usual.

This was a superb film highlighting the clash of cultures and the ramifications resulting therefrom. In this case, it is a clash between traditional Maori and English colonial cultures. What is the value of culture and what is the price of conformity? It is a well-developed movie. The acting was very good. The characterization was rigid and predictable based upon a viewer's initial observation of the characters and their respective roles, which actually enhanced the maintenance of the secret until late in the movie. Clues are provided that almost reach the level of red-herrings, but they are real clues with multiple interpretations that become clear as the movie progresses. All is not as it originally seems.I happened to be on an Air New Zealand flight that offered a selection of New Zealand-made films or I probably never would have had the opportunity to see this excellent film. If I had a vote, it would get my vote for best foreign film.

This film is based on a book by Witi Ihimaera called Medicine Woman. For some reason the title was changed to White Lies. Perhaps that was an attempt to inflame racial passions and get people interested enough to go and see it. I don't know, but I find the choice of title to be in highly questionable taste.But apart from that the best I can say for this film is it looks nice, as NZ films and television invariably does. It's not hard to make a nice looking film in NZ considering our scenery, but unfortunately it is used to hide a multitude of sins, such as a weak story and poor acting among others. The story in White Lies is interesting enough in its own way, but everything else lets it down and even the cinematography can't save it.The dialog sounded false and artificial and very few of the actors seemed at all professional. So much so that it was difficult to concentrate on the story, such was the poor quality of almost all of the actors involved. I am all for encouraging NZ film and television but that doesn't mean we MUST only use inexperienced locals surely?I'm sorry to hurt the feelings of anyone involved in this film. I'm sure you did your best and gave it your all, and I certainly wanted to love this film after enduring the dismal Top of the Lake, but I'm afraid I found White Lies to be just another in a long string of low quality Kiwi films. Please don't take it personally.Once again full marks for the cinematography and scenery, but low marks for all the rest. Better luck next time everyone.