River Queen

The events occur during 1868, a phase of the New Zealand Wars known as Tītokowaru's War. The period is marked by frontier warfare, shifting allegiances, and the strain of colonial expansion into Māori lands. Personal stories—like Sarah's search for her son and her relationships—play out against the backdrop of siege, skirmishes, and uneasy truces.

The film unfolds along Te Awa Nui, the Great River, in 1868 New Zealand. It travels between a colonial frontier garrison beside the river and the Māori village of Te Kai Po, revealing a divided landscape where soldiers, settlers, and indigenous communities collide. The river and village settings anchor a harsh rural world shaped by war, displacement, and loyalty tests.

💘 Love & Loyalty

Sarah's heart is torn between her love for Wiremu and her bond with her kidnapped son, Boy. The film examines how romance and motherhood complicate loyalties in a war-torn frontier. Choices driven by affection collide with survival, forcing characters to pick sides under pressure.

🧭 Identity & Belonging

Sarah navigates two worlds—the white military world she grew up in and the Māori village life she discovers—trying to find where she truly belongs. The story probes whether belonging is tied to birthplace, relationships, or adaptive loyalties during conflict. Her sense of self shifts as she is drawn into a community that challenges her assumptions.

⚔️ War & Moral Ambiguity

The conflict exposes brutality on both sides and the cost of war on civilians, including families torn apart by kidnapping, love, and duty. Leaders manipulate loyalties and personal bonds to achieve strategic aims. The narrative raises questions about justice, mercy, and where moral lines lie in a colonial war.