Story

Set in 1984, against a backdrop of social unrest because of the imminent tour by the Springboks, Uproar tells the story of Josh Waaka (Julian Dennison), a 17-year-old Maori boy who lives with his English mother Shirley (Minnie Driver) and older brother Jamie (James Rolleston). Josh attends St Gilbert’s School on a scholarship, provided because of his late father’s contribution to the rugby team. At school he’s constantly harassed and bullied by the other students.

Josh’s older brother Jamie also attended St Gilbert’s, where he was captain of the rugby team, but an injury meant he couldn’t continue. Principal Slane (Mark Mitchinson) begs Jamie to return to the school as a coach. Jamie accepts the position on the condition that Josh is allowed into the rugby team. Josh is alarmed by this because he doesn’t like rugby, but his mother persuades him to play, against his better judgment, for the sake of his brother.

Josh’s talent lies elsewhere, however, and it’s discovered by teacher Mr Madigan (Rhys Darby), who invites Josh to join the drama club. Josh has always been unsure of his identity and whanau (family). Through acting, he starts to discover his true self.

When his best friend Grace (Jada Fa’atui) starts attending an activist group, protesting against apartheid in South Africa, Josh has to learn how to stand up for himself and his beliefs.

Themes

Racism; Maori culture; rugby; the need to belong; identity

Violence

Uproar has some violence. For example:

• There’s a lot of rough play on the rugby field.
• There are riots on the streets, with clashes between protestors and baton-wielding police. The police go into a riot formation and, shown in slow motion, move into the crowd, bashing and hitting the protestors. A man is brutally kicked down, and an old woman is pushed to the ground. Police kick protestors on the ground. Injured people are shown with blood on their heads.
• Josh accidentally drops a set of weights on himself.
• A student deliberately kicks a ball at Josh.
• A student punches Josh and calls him a ‘homo’.
• Coarse and racist graffiti is sprayed on a Maori hall.
• During a self-defence session, a person gets punched in the throat.
• A house is deliberately targeted and set on fire.

Sexual references

Uproar has some sexual references. For example, the boys study a book called Foreskin’s Lament.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Uproar shows some use of substances. For example, men drink beer out of bottles.

Nudity and sexual activity

There’s no nudity and sexual activity in Uproar.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in Uproar: Weet-Bix.

Coarse language

Uproar has some coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Uproar is based on a true story about a young Maori man trying to find his identity. The movie draws parallels between the treatment of South Africa’s black community and the Maori community in New Zealand. This parallel is highly charged and well portrayed.

Because of the level of violence and coarse language, Uproar is best suited to teenagers and adults. It isn’t suitable for children under 10 years. We also recommend parental guidance for children aged 10-12 years.

The main messages from Uproar are to be true to yourself and to do what makes you your own person.

Values in Uproar that you could reinforce with your children include:

• valuing your family
• standing up for yourself
• being brave and courageous
• finding your identity
• belonging to a group.

Uproar could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the real-life consequences of things like:

• the poor treatment of Maori and other First Nations peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia
• racism
• protest – why would Mr Madigan have been fired for attending an anti-apartheid protest?