We Were Dangerous (2024)

Interesting facts

We Were Dangerous is a 2024 New Zealand drama film, directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, in her directorial debut, from a screenplay by Maddie Dai. It stars Rima Te Wiata, Erana James, Nathalie Morris and Manaia Hall. Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal serve as executive producers.

Production

We Were Dangerous was executive produced Taika Waititi, directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, written by Maddie Dai and produced by Morgan Waru and Polly Fryer. The film was the feature debut of both Te Whiu and Dai.

The film's screenplay was written by Maddie Dai. Dai created the three protagonists and drew upon inspiration and ideas from the experiences of her great-great-grandfather who was imprisoned on an island in New Zealand, New Zealand author Maurice Gee's novel Live Bodies, the eugenicist William Chapple's The Fertility of the Unfit book, the Mazengarb Report and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

Dai also collaborated with Stewart-Te Whiu and Waru in developing the screenplay. Stewart-Te Whiu and Waru's involvement with the project was motivated by the themes of female bodily autonomy and freedom from societal restrictions. Dai said that the film also sought to grapple with the themes of British colonialism, institutionalisation and the dichotomy between power and privilege.

Lake Alice Hospital survivor Leonie McInroe also consulted the creative team on the development of the screenplay.

Erana James, Nathalie Morris and Manaia Hall were cast as the three teenage protagonists Nellie, Lou and Daisy. Auditioning for the teenage cast members were conducted across New Zealand. To build trust between the three lead cast members, the crew played trust games with James, Morris and Hall during rehearsals.

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