That's where I'm heading ` everybody's dad, and then everyone's grandfather. BOTH LAUGH I wanna be like him. I can kind of die happy, saying that I was in a movie with Temuera Morrison. STRAINS: Gee. Physically Dad's still fine. Like, we still go to the gym and have a bit of a competition, and stuff. 'I've still got plenty of life to go. I'm still ready to do stuff.' All of a sudden, oh, I start getting the hot and cold flushes. I've never felt like this before. This was like a pain... It was like... I was rewinding everything, and, you know, sometimes things can just hit you. Oh my God. I am actually having a heart attack. # Nobody's calling on the telephone... This is a story about me ` Temuera Morrison. Jake the Muss; Jango Fett from Star Wars; Abin Sur, Green Lantern. I was on every casting agent's speed dial. I had it all ` the cars, the homes, living the Hollywood high life. And then suddenly the phone stopped ringing. The recession hit, and now I'm out of work and running out of time. # ...old son of a gun. # This is six months in my life as I aim to get my career and life back on track. Copyright Able 2013 HUBBUB (EXHALES) Oh my God. It was a feeling I haven't felt before. I couldn't get on top of it. And I was wondering what the hell it was. I thought I was having a heart attack. I thought my time was up. It's really quite surreal. Like, I turn around and the security's telling me, oh, 'Your partner's outside. He's a bit sick. No, he's really sick.' (GROANS) I don't know what's the matter. I go out, and I see him sitting there. And it was just like, 'Hon, what's wrong? What's going on?' And then he started saying, 'I think I'm having a heart attack.' (GASPS) Oh my God! What should I do? I don't know what to do. You're scaring me. It felt like I'd been punched in the stomach and got winded. (EXHALES DEEPLY) Go and get you some water? Go and get you some water? No, I think it's just all this running around I've been doing. I think we should go. I was actually feeling so bad, I asked the film guys to stop filming. Let's give it a rest for now, please. I'm trying to make a programme called The Life and Times of Temuera Morrison, not The Life and Death of Temuera Morrison. Right out. Right out. (EXHALES) OK. Just stick your chin up. Just gonna have a listen to your neck as well. Take a big breath in, and hold it. Hold it. And so you felt really quite hot? Quite hot. Hot and sweaty. And I actually thought, 'Ooh.' Being at that age ` you know, 50s... Got an ambulance out, just to check me up. I thought I was having a heart attack. And my sister being... having her turn, and I just thought, 'Wow.' I rang the ambulance and asked them to keep the sirens off so it didn't create a big deal. My blood pressure went right up. The bottom number was right up. OK. OK. When they were there, I actually got sick. You vomited? You vomited? Yeah, vomited, and it all came out. Then I started to feel better. So I realised I was overreacting. The people from the ambulance came to visit me. 'Ooh! It's Dr Ropata. Can we help you, Dr Ropata?' 'Yes. I think I'm` I think I'm dying here.' Thank goodness it was only something I had eaten which caused this horrible... horrible sensation. Bloody food poisoning! Oh, I could have strangled him. A big breath through your mouth. If something happened to Tem... I really do not like to think about it, cos I know that I will most likely... be living longer. It would just be the worst day of my life. Probably crawl into a cave for a while and just curl up. (LAUGHS) Look ` I'm gonna cry now. (CHUCKLES) No. # I feel the sunshine on my face. # Come rain or shine, it is the same. # My sister, she had a bit of a bad turn, sudden heart attack and bam. She was 54 too. It gives you a fright. Hey, Tai. Happy birthday, sis. While I was on my way to Disney World to sign autographs, Monday morning, the phone rings ` my sister, saying, oh, 'I don't think Taini's... Taini's...' My sister, 'She's died.' 'What?!' I was turning right to head to Auckland, and I ended up turning left. Shot up to hospital. Oh... There she was. The funny thing is that Auntie Taini went ahead and booked this whole... Did she? Did she? For us. Did she? For us. Then she was the first one here. Yeah, when Auntie Taini died, it was a big thing for the family. And it still is ` you can... You can see, whenever anyone talks about it, they get really... you know, it really affects them still. James Montgomery Morrison, married a Ngapuhia. We can also trace back to Scotland, if we want, on our Morrison side. Well, it's just important for me to show James around our place and to acknowledge, you know, those ones that have gone. Without those ones that have gone on to the other place, we wouldn't be here today. Sometimes we forget that too, you know? And this is where we get our voices from ` our singing voice. Think I missed that one. My dad, he is obviously much more close to his Maoridom and all the Rotorua side and family down there and everything that goes on with that, and I think he... he likes me to try to get involved with it, since I've been in Auckland so much of my life. When was that? 2009? 2009. Uncle Howard put me on the course that started me into acting. It was called SPATS. It was him that told me and Howard to audition. And I had to go as Temuera Stafford, and Howard went as Howard Manihi. We changed our surnames. He said, 'Change your names.' What, so you weren't Morrisons? What, so you weren't Morrisons? We weren't. He didn't want to know us. Being a young guy growing up in the shadow of Uncle Howard, many occasion he would call us, the whanau, to come and be part of his show. So that's where I knew about entertaining. So we had to audition. Temuera Stafford and Howard Manihi. BOTH CHUCKLE We didn't have my dad for very long. He passed away early. One thing I do remember about him was he said, 'Be somebody, boy. Be somebody. Be somebody, boy.' 1 Well, we just got some of the reviews. All the Twitters are going off. People are loving the movie. 'Temuera Morrison, as his father, who puts in his best performance for quite some time.' This is fantastic. I'm in a good movie! I can't believe it! I remember being in the bathroom after Speed 2, and I was in the cubicle. And I could hear` these guys had come in. They had obviously seen Once Were Warriors, and they were watching Speed 2. And I could hear them going, 'Man, that guy sucks. Did you see Once Were Warriors? 'Man, that guy was crazy. In this movie, man, that guy's...' I could hear them criticising my performance and how bad I was. So I waited for them to leave before I walked out of the cubicle. Oh, there's you. 'Temuera Morrison tells Remix why his recent role in Mt Zion was the perfect end to his acting career.' End? 'Oh, OK, so you're a director now? You're not Mr Actor any more? Well, good on you.' (CHUCKLES) 'This film is his curtain call. 'The world's most iconic Maori actor and star of Once Were Warriors is giving up the screen.' Kind of funny you have to read about it in a magazine, when you've got the... the mouth right there. Like... (CHUCKLES) The first story I did to promote Mt Zion, I thought I'd just throw that in as well, in the hope someone might read it and give me a directing job now. (CHUCKLES) Yeah, there's been a lot on, you know? Uh, travel... Just so much going on. Promotion, Zion, not feeling too good. And you're always giving, giving, talking, talking, so you get a bit drained. But a friend of mine has a 'bully-free bro' campaign, and he needed a bit of tautoko ` a bit of support. So I was at Western Heights. And I think it's important for me to give a little bit back, I think. Now, I know some of you have seen me in the movies ` Once Were Warriors and all that stuff. I know a lot of youse can relate to that kind of movie as well. Maybe your aunties and uncles or mums and dads are a little bit like that fella Jake Heke as well. So I'm sorry about that movie, cos I scared a lot of people. Yes, my friend? Did you really beat up Uncle Bully? Did I really beat up Uncle Bully? GROWLS: Uncle Bully... BELLOWS: Uncle Bully! No. No. LAUGHTER Well, actually I should be doing a little bit more. Um, I really enjoy speaking to our young people, telling them a few stories, giving them a laugh. Now flick, flick, boom. Flick, flick, boom. When I look at the kids in the schools, I just see so much in their eyes; so much potential. You know, they` And then the world's just gonna either open up for them, or, you know, everyone's gonna be on their own path. So I just wanna do my little bit. And I really quite enjoy that. # Sister, sister, # you and me. # Unshakeable philosophy, yeah. # Sister, sister... # Ooh, Boo Boo, look at the geyser. Ooh, Boo Boo, look at the geyser. Yep. It's a sign. Oh, it's cool. Oh, it's cool. He tohu tera. He tohu. Happy birthday, Zella. Look. Happy birthday, Zella. Look. Happy birthday, Zel. I think that's Pohutu. Well, nice spot for the birthday. Well, nice spot for the birthday. Mm. I think so too. I enjoy the family birthday. We just all get together ` you know, me and my sisters, my nieces and nephews, and, of course, my beautiful children. You know, we're a very tight family. We do care about one another, even though we may... may not let on sometimes. (CHUCKLES) Uh, nice to have all the family here. Kia ora, everybody. Happy birthday, sister Zella. (STRUMS GUITAR) While you guys are all eating, I'll just sing a bit of background music. I think my dad does kind of feel a bit of a... I guess responsibility for our direct family, but also the extended family, you know, cos he's the oldest son, and his dad ` my granddad ` died when they were quite young. So I guess he's` I guess he does see some responsibility in his role in our family and stuff. # E hine ma. E hine ma. # E tama ma. # Hapai nga o # te mahi Maori e. # I'm really proud of the nephews and nieces. They've... They've taken on from our generation now ` you know, with their kapa haka as well. They're a lot better. Some of my nephews now, they can speak te reo so good, I'm wondering what the hell they're talking about. CHEERING, APPLAUSE Look, who asked you guys to come up and sing with me? I was doing all right by myself. Eh? There I was, singing all the old songs... But ka pai. Ka pai. And you see our young ones coming through now? Ka rawe. Ka rawe. I really enjoy our young people using some of our things in our culture, like our haka energy, in a positive way. But at the moment my baby girl, Aio, is right into her kapa haka. So she loves... loves kapa haka. She loves going to the practices. In fact, I was trying to go to the beach, and then she preferred to go to the practice. So I can see there's a bit of desire there. And when she's not a practice, she's at home, doing her poi in the mirror. ALL CHANT HAKA She's got a bit of her dad in her anyway. Yeah, I need a drink now. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Beautiful birthday. Beautiful birthday. Beautiful ` to get all the family together. Good on Zella. Yeah, it's nice to see all your family together on a happy occasion. A happy` And we're all alive; celebrating life... Well, that's the thing. We only ever come together when it's something sad that forces us to be together. No, it went well. Went well tonight. No, it went well. Went well tonight. Mm. Oh, beautiful. Good girl! Hey-ya! Ooh, good shot! (GRUNTS) > 'I think it's time now for me to have a serious think about the future. Things get tight, you know? 'You just gotta try and be versatile.' Yes! 'Might have to, sort of, just to go Hollywood again; have another go.' You know, actually staying in Los Angeles for a longer period is actually` It's still on the cards. Good girl. Yep. The hard thing about that is I'll miss my baby girl, and the whanau sometimes. So maybe it's one of those things that I have to change, you know? Get back to the reality of things. Now it's time to play out that second half. And here we are today. That's where we're at. What's the... What's the deal, then? Go to LA, or... stay here, or...? Well, that's our... that's my problem, really. It's just the` the nature of the business. It's what I do. I'm an actor. I decided to become an actor. So... the big prize for me is acting. I need to stay a little longer, you know? Like how long, though? Like` Like how long, though? Like` Like months. DRAMATIC MUSIC If he wants to move there, I can't do it. I'm only allowed to go there as a visitor. Jen and Lydia have, uh, said their house is available to rent. But they need to know as soon as possible. And what did you say? I said, well, I'd quickly think about it and get back to them. Actually, I'd be intrigued to see how that would work. Hmm. What am I gonna do with our dog, and our cat, and...? Do I send them to the SPCA? I can't do that. It's hard. But then I guess I'll just go over and meet him. We'd work it out ` I mean, you have to. I love him. So I'll just be coming to visit you; you come back and visit me. So I'll just be coming to visit you; you come back and visit me. Well, I'm not gonna have a dog or a cat run my life, so... What is the future with Ashlee? (INHALES) Well, I don't know. I guess I've been a little bit slack in those terms sometimes. I'm sure she wants to know what the hell's going on as well. I've got to think of what's best for us, in terms of work and timing. I've got to think of what's best for us, in terms of work and timing. Which I think is probably LA. LA or stay here. We can't take commitment too lightly. You know what I mean? Sometimes I just tend to plod along in a relationship and forget about those kind of things in the future. Come on, then. We'll go and have a hot pool. Come on, then. We'll go and have a hot pool. Hot pools. And you never know. I might get down on my knee. 1 PHONE RINGS Kia ora. Temuera Morrison. Kia ora? Kia ora? Yes. Yes. Tem here. Kia ora. Oh, Wetini. Wetini Mitai, you said? Yes, yes. Yes, of course. He did mention it. Uh, you... you and Wetini, uh, got something happening in Dubai, or something? You're the Dubai guy? The Kiwi guy? Yes. It's amazing how, when I'm just thinking maybe it's time to go to LA permanently, the phone rings. And this phone call came through another friend of mine, who had another friend in Dubai who's got a script. His name's Craig. I normally, uh, have, uh, my agent do all this stuff. But since you know Wetini and I've had a bit of a discussion with Wetini, I don't mind you coming up to Rotorua. What I generally do is book you into my buddy's motel. Uh, we'll sit around and have a look at your script. I've got to check out the finance and all that stuff, but at least it's positive. So, um,... I'm just gonna see how this one plays out. OK, brother. Craig... Johnson. In the old days I'd always just, sort of, hand them on to my agent. And that's the best way I like to do business. But too often, because we're involved and we know a lot of people, you know, they all come in the back door and go, 'Oh, I know your cousin.' 'Oh, I know your friend.' 'Oh, can you get this to Tem?' Hey. Tem. Craig Johnson. Temuera Morrison. How are you, brother? Temuera Morrison. How are you, brother? Good to meet you. At last. At last. Yeah. Please come in. I see you've got a script there. That's fantastic. I see you've got a script there. That's fantastic. I have. That's a great start. That's a great start. Yep, I have got a script. There's a saying ` if it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage. Have you heard of that saying? I have. I have, yeah. Well, first, I just want to say I'm honoured that you'd even spend some time to` to listen to what I have to say. It's strange. I didn't know what to expect, um, when I met Tem. I was nervous, because, you know, I didn't know whether he would laugh me out of the room and just think I'm another crank with a... with a script. You know, I've written a few scripts before. I sold a script to Hollywood a few years ago, but it didn't get made, which was a shame. And I thought, well, the next time I write something I like,... Yes. > Yes. > ...I'd like to try and make it myself. I needed an actor with the kind of mana and the kind of presence that Tem has. You know, his performance in Once Were Warriors is still one of the most outstanding performances in a feature film, in a dramatic film, I've ever seen. The story is` is really about... the All Black that made it to the All Blacks and made it for one game, you know? The one-game All Black. And there are a few of them, you know? And there are a few of them, you know? Yep. And it's the guy that... that got, you know... Eddie Stokes. I just thought of one now. Bay of Plenty player. Eddie Stokes. One game for the All Blacks. And I thought, you know, it must be tough for a sportsman who trains all his life to get to the top, and then doesn't` doesn't quite make it, or makes it and then it gets ripped away from him. Yeah. Kind of reminded me of somebody. (LAUGHS) No acting required here. No acting required. No acting required here. No acting required. (CHUCKLES) It's quite a... Yeah. I was Te Papapa second division halfback. I was Te Papapa second division halfback. (LAUGHS) Yeah, he's a good guy, Craig. The most exciting thing is I think I'll be able to throw my name forward, in terms of being a director. And this is what I want to do now. So this might be my opportunity. Are you gonna direct, or...? I know we're still talking about the story, but, briefly, what were you thinking in those terms? Yeah, look, I would love to be involved with you, perhaps, on this. We could maybe look at directing this together. You're talking, like, co-directing? You're talking, like, co-directing? Yeah, co-directing. Yeah. Because, uh, you know, you've had many years on movie sets and` But you haven't thought of another director? But you haven't thought of another director? No. So you or me or... So there's no one in mind? So you or me or... So there's no one in mind? No. No. That's fantastic. That's why I brought it up, because I'd rather you think of me and you before you start thinking of a director. Cos this is something that I want to get into. I'm a writer. I'm not a director. And I hope that, by involving him in that element, it will... he'll give himself even more to it. And I have to be honest ` it'll be good for box office as well. To have Temuera Morrison making his directing debut, I think, will pull a lot of people out of a lot of seats in NZ, because a lot of people will think, 'OK, what did he make?' In this case, um, Bruce is the main character's name. He has to go back to life on the farm and... sharemilks for his father-in-law. I've got a little town to show you. I've got a little town to show you. OK. I've got a little town to show you. OK. And a little farm. Great. Great. On my mum's side, we've got a farm over in the King Country. So,... you know, we'll talk about the script, take it down... And if I like the smell of your aftershave, I'll take you over there to take a look at the farm. I was quite excited about showing Craig my mum's farm here. We're kind of blessed that there's two sides of our family. One side is the Morrison side, here in Rotorua. And we're so blessed that our mum's from the King Country. So you've spent time on the dairy farm? Most of my school holidays were spent milking cows, riding horses, feeding pigs on the farm. In fact, I would tie myself to the tree when it was time to come home, in the hope that no one could untie me. Nah, so it's just perfect. I'm telling you. Nah, so it's just perfect. I'm telling you. OK. Hey, goes back to the story; goes back to that script. And those scripts are one in a blue moon. I think my chances of making a movie with this guy is better than those ones in Las Vegas. I was looking at him very closely, just to try and see that, you know, he's got the passion. And he... And that's very important for me ` you know, has he got the passion to make this and follow it through? Uh,... I don't get excited until I see a camera. (CHUCKLES) I think I might have to actually come back and work the farm. I'm used to room service. Can I see Tem as a farmer? Until the director yells, 'Cut!' Get another phone call from Stephen ` there's a convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There is a particular breed that come to these Star Wars conventions. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2013