The Difference Between Pipi & Pūpū

"The Difference Between Pipi and Pūpū" is a Māori short film about an estranged son, Tai, who is called home to his father’s deathbed. Tai must find the courage to confront a family secret and resolve the conflict between him and his father, Putty, before it’s too late.

"The Difference Between Pipi and Pūpū" was selected as one of three films to receive $15,000 as part of the 2019 Ngā Aho Shorts initiative. Ngā Aho Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission devolved fund administered by Ngā Aho Whakaari, who has been a great and continuing support of our kaupapa [project]. With this funding, and many favors from friends and whānau of time, money and resource, we completed filming at the end of 2019 using some pretty flash gear and a largely professional cast and crew. By being extra resourceful, we've gotten through a good chunk of post-production. This $2,500 will be used to complete the final stages of post-production for delivery.

Like many of our art forms, this short film is a labor of love by many. And, we invite you to join the journey.

WHY IS THIS STORY IMPORTANT?

"The Difference between Pipi and Pūpu" was inspired by the world of our Writer & Director, who lost his own uncle to cancer. This story of impending loss and family conflict is so universally relatable it was personally understood by many of our team, who brought this intimate understanding to their mahi [work]. For our Producer, this kaupapa [project] was a chance to show on-screen how Māori whānau specifically deal with pain and grief, which in her experience is together and with lots of shared memories and humor. It was also an opportunity to feature our Māori men as complex, talented, human beings both on-screen and off-screen. Expanding on how we view Māori men outside of unfavorable social statistics and stereotypes is an important mission for Caravan Carpark Films.

THE CAST

"The Difference Between Pipi and Pūpū" is a story anchored by two lead roles - "Putty" and "Tai". Filling these roles and leading our cast are Calvin Tuteao (The Dead Lands, Cousins) and Richard Te Are (The Luminaries, The Dead Lands), who are both wonderfully talented and generous creatives.

THE TEAM

Tajim Mohammed-Kapa | Writer & Director

Tajim (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Rēhia) is a Māori filmmaker from Te Tai Tokerau, the Bay of Islands where he was raised by his great-grandmother in a small village called Te Tii Mangonui. Tajim has always been drawn to his creative side and in particular storytelling. In 2015, he left a career as a lawyer to pursue his creative passion at film school. Since graduating he's worked in various roles and attained credits on "Kiwi", "Maui's Hook" and "Power Rangers" with the view to growing his skill-set as storyteller. Tajim is very passionate about his hapū Ngāti Rēhia and much of his inspiration comes from countless hours spent with whānau. Tajim's hope is to continue to grow as a Writer and Director. “The Difference Between Pipi and Pūpū” is his debut short film out of film school.

Angela Cudd | Producer

Angela (Ngāti Porou, Ngātiwai, Te-Whānau-a-Apanui) is a Māori and Kiwi Producer with 6+ years’ experience in production and credits that include “The Breaker Upperers”, "Filthy Rich" and “Cousins”. Angela has built a career by supporting local stories like these that hold meaning, have distinctly Māori or Kiwi content and the potential for international appeal. In 2017, she began producing fluent content including "I Am Waru" and "Potae Pai" with the aim of moving into the drama space. She is currently producing a yet-to-be-announced comedy series for TVNZ On Demand and another Ngā Aho Short “Disconnected” with several other projects in development. She is also currently participating in the highly competitive MAP Producer Course.

Bevan Crothers | Director of Photography

Bevan is a multi award-winning Cinematographer, who has worked in the film and television industry for 22 years, both as a Cinematographer and Camera Operator. It's no surprise then that his work has taken him all around the world and that his passion for visual storytelling has extended across multiple genres from scripted drama to the intimate real life moments of documentary. To be able to create and capture light, shadows, tone, color and moments is what drives him and we can't wait to show you his beautiful mahi [work] on this kaupapa [project].

India Fremaux | Editor

A Master's Graduate and proud Māori and Kiwi film-maker, India is an emerging Editor working on content for film, television and digital platforms and across multiple genres including documentary, drama and edutainment. India is passionate about presenting indigenous content on-screen and this is expressed in her credits which include the fluent content Someday Stories' "I Am Waru" and Takitini Production's "Pōtae Pai". She is also working on another Ngā Aho Short “Disconnected”.

Other Key Creatives include:

• Casey Kaa (Ahikāroa, Waru)
• Louise Spraggon (The Gulf, 800 Words)
• Sacha Young (Cousins, Ahikāroa)
• Christina Lajdes (Cul de Sac, Find Me A Māori Bride)
• Holly van der Park (The Deadlands, Filthy Rich)
• Ray Edwards (Cousins, The Dead Lands)
• Ainsley Calderwood (The Brokenwood Mysteries, Power Rangers)
• Darrell Green (Rocky Road to Freedom, In Passing)

And a special thanks to our Key Supporters:

• Imagezone
• Fat Lighting
• Craft Services
• Takitini Productions
• Miss Conception Films

We think this is a pretty special kaupapa [project] and we'd love you to share in our journey with us. No matter how small, your koha [donation] is greatly appreciated.

He waka eke noa! | We're all in this together!