In the Fire of War

Set in 1864, this historical drama follows two teenagers struggling to survive during a decisive battle of the first land wars in New Zealand. The story focuses on Haki, who is captured by Maori resistance forces, and Kopu, a young girl serving as a medium for a war god. As the British colonial army advances, the two form a bond that forces them to navigate the dangers of the conflict and determine their own futures.

The film was directed by Mike Jonathan and written by Tim Worrall. It is a joint production between Australia and New Zealand, produced by Transmission Films. The cast features Paku Fernandez and Hinerangi Harawira-Nicholas in the lead roles, with supporting performances from Temuera Morrison, Jason Flemyng, Cliff Curtis, and Te Wakaunua Te Kurapa. In total, the movie credits a cast of 26 actors. This action-adventure production has a runtime of 115 minutes and was released on June 27, 2024.