A matriarch organizes a feast with her family, in which she will name her successor. The heart has gone out of Nanna Maria's family. There are no parties — they don't even fight anymore...
Acting
Ruby Dee commands every frame like she owns the house.
Production
One location, maximum tension—Auckland never looked this intimate.
Writing
Dialogue that stings like family only can.
Director
Toa Fraser
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Fraser's own play, this was one of the first major Pacific Island stories set in contemporary Aotearoa to reach international audiences.
Ruby Dee flew to New Zealand specifically for this role at age 81, working with a largely unknown local cast who she'd never met before day one of shooting.
US
NZ
