The Making of Mārama | Director Taratoa Stappard on Māori Gothic & Colonial History

A haunting Māori Gothic ghost story — director Taratoa Stappard breaks down Mārama and the history, identity, and trauma behind the film.

What is Mārama—and why does it feel unlike anything else in cinema right now?

In this episode of Inside the Arthouse, hosts Greg Laemmle and Raphael Sbarge sit down with New Zealand filmmaker Taratoa Stappard to explore his haunting new film — a self-described “Māori Gothic ghost story” that blends psychological horror with a powerful historical reckoning.

Set in 1859, Mārama follows a young Māori woman who travels to England in search of her past, only to uncover a devastating truth shaped by colonial violence, cultural erasure, and a legacy that refuses to stay buried.

At the center is a fearless breakout performance by Ariāna Osborne, grounding a film that builds toward something both unsettling and deeply cathartic.

Drawing from his own Māori and English heritage — and a lifetime of living between two worlds — Stappard crafts a story where history isn’t distant. It’s alive, unresolved, and deeply personal.

In this conversation, we explore the origins of Mārama, the risks of blending genre with cultural trauma, and what it means to tell stories that challenge both audiences and the industry.

In this episode: • What “Māori Gothic” means — and why it matters now • How Stappard’s whakapapa (heritage) shaped the film • The risks of confronting colonial trauma through horror • Ariāna Osborne’s extraordinary breakout performance • Why Mārama is resonating with audiences worldwide

Official Selections: TIFF 2025, AFI Fest, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Sitges & moreDistributed by: Watermelon Pictures & Dark Sky Films

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