Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand drama film directed by Lee Tamahori. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Alan Duff and follows the Heke family, who are struggling to cope with poverty, unemployment, and violence in the streets of Auckland.
At the center of the story is Beth Heke, a strong-willed Maori woman who is determined to keep her family together despite the challenges they face. Her husband, Jake, is a violent and abusive alcoholic who often takes his anger out on Beth and their five children. Beth's eldest son Nig is involved with a gang and her teenage daughter Grace is struggling with her own identity and place in the world.
As the family's problems spiral out of control, Beth must find the strength to confront Jake and the demons of their past in order to protect her children and keep their family together. Along the way, she must also confront her own feelings of shame and guilt over her inability to provide a better life for her family.
Throughout the film, Tamahori portrays the complexities of Maori culture and the challenges facing indigenous communities in New Zealand. The film's powerful performances and gritty realism have made it a landmark of New Zealand cinema and a classic of the international film canon.