Presented as part of the second annual Matariki Māori Film Week, this is an exhibition of moving image and photographic works of master Māori cinematographer Fred Renata. Fred Renata was camera crew on Merata Mita’s seminal work Mauri, and has been cinematographer for numerous feature films (Fracture, Mt Zion, Poi E), documentaries (Let My Whakapapa Speak) and short films (Ahi Kā and Baby Steps). Curated by Leo Koziol of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, this retrospective exhibition provides a comprehensive survey of the cinematic vision of Fred Renata – Te Ao Mai Ngā Whatu Māori.

Biography

Fred Renata segued from electrical engineering into film, after joining the camera crew on Merata Mita’s first and only dramatic feature, Mauri (1987). He went on to work on pioneering Māori drama series E Tipu e Rea. Since then Renata’s work as a director of photography has crossed all mediums, from music videos and commercials, to multiple episodes of teen hit Being Eve and hit feature Mt Zion. He has also shot many documentaries (Poi E – The Story of Our Song, Hotere), often with Māori themes. In 2003 Renata scored an NZ Television award for his work on TV series Street Legal.

Fred has an eye like a viewfinder. Larry (Parr) suggested that Fred’s pupils might be rectangular — and I don’t think he’s far wrong.
‘Magik and Rose’ director Vanessa Alexander

Click below to read an interview with Fred Renata by Joseph McAlpine in The Pantograph Punch, 4 June 2018
Through The Lens: Becoming Māori with Fred Renata
Joseph McAlpine shines a light on national treasure and cinematographer Fred Renata

He Wiki Kiriata Māori – Māori Film Week