Something to watch now: Thursday 27 February

Marlon Williams (feat. Lorde) – Kāhore He Manu E (from Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds)

Forgive me, I don’t normally post something as short as a clip or a trailer but this is a little bit personal.

Last week I was invited to a preview screening of the new documentary, Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, a film ostensibly about the making of the singer’s new album – his first to be written and recorded entirely in te reo Māori.

It’s more than that, of course. It’s also a biography and a portrait of an often kooky artist discovering that, in his 30s, it might be time to become something more. Anyway, a proper review will come when the film is released later this year.

I was introduced to Williams’ music by my sister, shortly before she died. She was in hospice because of her cancer but she wanted to play me a YouTube playlist of Williams songs – his breakthrough album Make Way for Love had just been released.

Watching the film was moving for me – obviously – because his voice has been precious to me ever since then, but while I was watching I realised that the anniversary of her passing – March 2nd – was approaching which meant the anniversary of her playing me his music was probably on or around that day I was sitting in the cinema.

Considering I could easily have given that screening a swerve and waited until it reached movie theatres, I couldn’t help but feel that I was there that morning for a reason and that, once again, Amy was directing my attention where she wanted it to go.

Before she got sick, Amy was also on her own te reo journey so I’m sure she would have appreciated this film for many reasons.

The first clip from the film has just been released. Is it a single yet? I’m not sure. Anyway, this is Marlon Williams duetting with Lorde on the song “Kāhore He Manu E”.

The album Te Whare Tīwekaweka is released on 4 April.

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Where to watch Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds