Marlon Williams: NgĀ Ao E Rua – Two Worlds
Synopsis
Beloved for his alt-bluegrass stylings, Christchurch-born Marlon Williams has spent years on the road, touring with the likes of Florence + The Machine and Bruce Springsteen, and even making a fan of Bradley Cooper, who handpicked the musician to appear in A Star Is Born. This sensitive documentary finds Williams at a crossroads: he returns home to reconnect with his Ngai Tahu and Ngai Tai roots, and to write an album entirely in te reo Maori – calling upon his friend Lorde to contribute. Director Ursula Grace Williams crafts a loving portrait of an artist at his peak. Set against stunning Aotearoa New Zealand landscapes, her film celebrates the creativity that flows from exploring one’s own heritage and identity.
Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.
Special Guests
Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor based in Lyttelton, New Zealand. One of the greatest voices of his generation, Williams is often compared to Leonard Cohen, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. He has played many of the world’s major festivals, toured and performed with Bruce Springsteen, Florence + The Machine, Courtney Barnett, Lorde and more. Williams’ acting credits include A Star Is Born, and roles in Netflix series: Sweet Tooth, The Rehearsal, True History of the Kelly Gang, Lone Wolf, and Bad Behaviour.
Ursula Grace Williams is an award-winning director from New Zealand. Since debuting her first short The King at Sydney Film Festival in 2016, she has built a career on impactful, thought-provoking work that challenges perspectives and amplifies underrepresented voices. From 2017-2019 she was the head of production at VICE NZ; and from 2021-2022, she directed the acclaimed six-part series Milk & Money. Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds marks Ursula’s feature-length documentary debut.
Tickets
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We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
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