Awaken

A “Lab 12 Films” FILM
WRITTEN BY Matthew Brightwell

Whakaara or Awaken is the story of Heta an 11 year old boy who after a car accident where his parents and sister are killed ends up in a coma. Six months later he wakes only to find he has no memory of life before the accident. But while trapped in the dark place of his coma he befriends Te Momoe Atua, The Dream Taniwha who is also lost. Together they search for a way out of the dark forest, searching for a way back home, finding out along the way just who they really are.

Weaving myths and dreams together with the dream Taniwha Heta discovers who he was, who he is and who he will become.

“their strength, their mana, guided them back to their village, back to their people...back home.”