Bay of Plenty actor Temuera Morrison is fronting a new campaign for Women's Refuge to help highlight New Zealand's shocking domestic violence culture.
The Hollywood actor who first came to fame for his Shortland Street character Doctor Ropata. But found international stardom with his portrayal of Jake the Muss in the movie Once Were Warriors he says it upsets him, young men look up to Jake.
Temuera Morrison in his candid video for Women's Refuge. Photo: Women's Refuge/YouTube.
The Rotorua born actor says in a video for Women's Refuge he didn't take into account the implications of his character in the movie but was now looking to lend his weight behind the worthwhile cause.
He says when he sees young men admiring Jake the Muss and glorifying him it is upsetting, because "they don't really see the bigger picture".
'Some of these guys they love the physical side of it and hearing the knuckles, hearing that smack. It kind of gives them a buzz.”
Temuera says women who lived a life of domestic violence were also able to relate to the horror portrayed in the film.
'I played that guy Jake the Muss. I was conscious that when I walked in the room that I wanted everyone to sort of feel on edge… Is he going to punch me.”
He says Jake the Muss was a character he played and "that character is there with me for life now," but at least at the end of filming he was able to 'rub all the tattoos off, take our leathers off, and put our clothes on and go home to our normal life”.
'But for a lot of our people they can't rub their tattoos off, they can't take their leather jackets off. That is their life, they're stuck, they're stuck in that movie."
Temuera say it's been 20 years since Once Were Warriors was made but the problem of family violence had gotten worse.
'We speak of aroha, we say all these words but I think we're just saying these words.
"We need our people, we need our communities to give a little bit more to help our women."
The Women's Refuge played a vital role and it was important to help raise awareness of what they do.
'Without them these women would have nowhere to go.”
6 comments
violence
Posted on 16-07-2016 09:31 | By mlangdon
So maybe actors like him should think about the outcomes and NOT play the part of those violent characters.There is so much violence on TV these days (which kids of all ages watch) it is no wonder we have an increase in this type of thing.
Hmmmm
Posted on 16-07-2016 11:20 | By How about this view!
Once were warriors!!!! More of a documentary than a movie. Let's see the wealthy Maori power-base in their ivory towers actually do something for "Their people" than they claim vociferously to represent.
He is an actor!
Posted on 16-07-2016 11:35 | By Captain Sensible
He's an actor! If people can't get that he is not really Jake, then they are stupid.
@mlangdon
Posted on 16-07-2016 12:40 | By astex
Once were warriors was an anti-violence movie at the time and was intended to show the horror of family violence and abuse.
@iknow
Posted on 16-07-2016 17:21 | By Taffy
And 20 years on what have Nz as a nation done about.Sweet FA the situation is now far worse.Yes ,everytime there,s an incident we have a public outcry (quite rightly )and then someone or organisation calls a meeting ete ete but nothing happens and so it goes on until the next time. I don,t know where the solution is but it has to start with the government to get it moving.
Alcohol...
Posted on 17-07-2016 08:07 | By Number eight
That's the main ingredient in a hell of a lot of family violence.In fact in violent offending in general alcohol plays a major,major role.To me it is the worst LEGAL DRUG OUT THERE and yes people it is a drug.Too much alcohol not enough money,recipe for violence
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