A trio of strong-willed, rebellious Māori girls are pushed to their breaking point in filmmaker Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s ensemble drama, We Were Dangerous. Set in 1950s New Zealand, We Were Dangerous charts the lives of a group of young women living in seclusion at a boarding school for delinquent girls. Whiu shows much wisdom and strength in her directorial debut, with New Zealand native and Oscar-nominee Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) as executive producer. The film is currently available to watch on VOD.

Fighting Out Against Indoctrination

Nellie (Erana James), Daisy (Manaia Hall), and Louisa (Nathalie Morris) have found solace with each other as students and survivors of the Te Motu School for Incorrigible and Delinquent Girls. Having recently relocated to a remote island due to a failed attempt at escaping, the school is more than just a reformer for “troubled teens.” Most, if not all, of the girls would equate their time here with being in prison. The headmaster (Rima Te Wiata) is a strict woman who preaches Christianity as the answer to their problems.

Watch the We Were Dangerous trailer here.

The teachings don’t sit right with the girls, who all feel unjustifiably vilified for just existing. After discovering the school’s plans to medically intervene in their fertility, the girls decide that enough is enough. Using their collective smarts, they concoct a plan that intends to send a message to the hierarchy of their abusive school system.

A Stunning New Voice Enters the Arena

It’s exciting to see a new voice like Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s in We Were Dangerous. Her direction and visual style feel like a breath of fresh air. There are some sartorial nods to the filmmaking of Wes Anderson. Most notably, the use of monotone and witty voiceover narration. The score is another element that stands out, especially the use of choral vocals. It’s lively, electrifying, and the perfect complement to the New Zealand environment.

Takeaway

Many films highlight the special bond of female friendship, but none quite capture the spirit that We Were Dangerous has. Equally comedic, heartfelt, and inspirational, We Were Dangerous proves that you can overcome anything with close confidants.