Uproar: New film promises conflict, comedy and comradery

“I’m a Māori surrounded by white kids.”

For Māori superstar actor Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Godzilla vs Kong, Deadpool 2 and Paper Planes), portraying the story of a Māori/Pākeha teen facing racial conflict wasn’t too far from his own personal journey.

Dennison stars in the new heartwarming film Uproar set in 1980s Otago, playing the role of half-caste student Josh Waaka.

Similar to his character, Dennison says attending an all boys school, he was one of three Māori pupils in his year.

“It was quite an interesting journey for this film and a lot of personal stuff bubbled up to the top.”

Uproar features a stellar cast including Rhys Darby (Jumanji, Trolls, Flight of the Conchords), James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver and emerging talents Erana James and Jada Fa’atui.

The other crucial historical context of the film, is the controversial 1981 Springboks tour is taking place and the South Africans are due to play in Dunedin's Carisbrook.

“I think it was very important to learn more about the tour. Even talking to my nannies and koros, my mum and dad," Dennison says.

“My mum was at the march in Hamilton and my dad was also there just trying to watch the game. So like [I’ve got] very two different views but you know it all makes the story important.”

Dennison’s mum joined the cast as a kuia in the film, which he says was a full circle moment for him.

“I’ve been doing this for ten/eleven years and mum’s just there right. She’s on set with me making sure I’m fed, healthy, doing what I need to do or getting enough sleep. So coming into adulthood and being on set with my mum as another cast member, I couldn’t play up,” he jokes.

“It was the opposite, now I’m making sure she’s ok. I just didn’t want to get told off by her in front of everyone.”

Uproar is now showing at cinemas nationwide.

Watch the full interview with Julian Dennison on Niu FM's Morning Shack show below.