Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua - Two Worlds (DVD)

Follow renowned Aotearoa New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams on the profound, revealing and joyful four-year journey of reconnection and self-discovery behind writing and recording his first album in te reo Maori.

Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua – Two Worlds weaves together the various strands of Marlon’s expe­rience – musician, actor, son, friend and student of te reo Maori among them – as he reflects on his career so far and the challengers and pleasures of articulating his worldview in te reo Maori. The change of language casts a new and revealing light on Marlon and his creative process, while also acting as a catalyst for Marlon to reflect on love, music and life – and what he wants from his.

Marlon’s journey is situated within the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand at what is a tense moment in the nation’s history. In Marlon’s voice and art, one hears echoes of the musical traditions that have sustained and nurtured him: the buzzing marae, the classical training that refined his powerful voice, the country and folk genres in which he first found critical success. And in Marlon’s story, we can see the outline of Aotearoa New Zealand’s as the country seeks to unify its fractious history into a cohesive future.

All the while, the film – in keeping with Marlon’s laid-back personality – never takes itself too seriously, never forgetting that, at heart, this is a story of joyful self-discovery. And that is always something to celebrate.