Soldiers Rd

A M?ori entrepreneur attempts to reclaim the exploitative art form of portrait photography by using it to help prisoners reframe their identity. But can a simple photograph really change your life?

Introducing Taaniko Nordstrom, a young M?ori woman who has found a unique way to help people tackle the themes of identity. Growing up she was surrounded by vivid native American portraiture, which led to the birth of a creative outlet and ultimately has become a tool for positive change.

Our film

Our film will focus on Taaniko and her sister Vienna's creative venture, ?'Soldiers Rd Portraits' and their partnership with Waikeria Prison, aiming to transform prisoner cultural identity and self perception as an innovative way to approach prison recidivism rates. As well as offering free portraits to inmates, they also help them write a letter to their t?puna (ancestors) as a further way of enabling participants to connect and reflect on their lives; past, present and future.

Our kaupapa

We believe the core themes of lack of identity and negative self image are not just a M?ori problem, they are something that can be applied to all cultures. We hope our film will help the audience consider how important these are in a person's behaviours and life choices, and hopefully also question our own preconceived judgements of people. The kaupapa of our film is one of hope, pride and empowerment - which, let's face it, all of us could do with a little more of!

How you can help

Our short has been selected to be made as part of the Loading Docs initiative. Along with principal funder NZ On Air and with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and Te M?ngai P?ho, they want to see the film get made just as much as we do. Loading Docs will provide an additional $4,450 and cover post-production costs, but only as long as we reach our funding goal as of part of the development process All donations are hugely appreciated.

Ng? manaakitanga

Louise and Gabriel