imagineNATIVE 25 FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! For a sweet cinematic treat that is ripe for the picking, grab yourself a handful of Pititi (Peaches), the beautiful New Zealand short written and directed by Tai Mohammed-Kapa. Young space captain Tama (Elijah Tamati) is about to embark on his most daring rocket mission yet. His target is in sight and he is ready to launch. He lowers the visor of his space helmet and blasts off across his back yard as fast as his little legs can carry him.
In the night, his destination is clear: the peach tree in the yard next door. His elderly neighbor, Kaumatua (Waihoroi Shortland), yells over the fence at the little boy to stay away from his peach tree. Tama, who gets very busy on his trampoline, tells the old man he doesn’t understand what he is saying. The old man keeps answering in a language the little boy doesn’t recognize, until Tama realizes Kaumatua is one of those bush Maoris he has been told about. Back and forth over the fence it goes, while the peaches sit in the tree, waiting to be picked.
“Young space captain Tama…is about to embark on his most daring rocket mission yet.”
Pititi (Peaches) is naturally sweet with no trace of saccharine or corn syrup. Mohammed-Kapa hits this sweet spot without relying on artificiality or over-sentimentalism. Using the same dynamic of antagonistic generational bounding found in the old Dennis the Menace comics, Mohammed-Kapa uses Tamati’s tenaciousness as the perfect crowbar to pry open Shortland’s grumpiness. Shortland makes sure it isn’t an easy task, as he puts up a masterful performance. His cranky geezer is a symphony of irritation that is a convincing, impenetrable wall against Tamati’s intrusions on his business.
Tamati puts the energy of a rocket into his role as a rocket-obsessed kid, working up several excellent reactions that show a lot of sophistication for such a young talent. Mohammed-Kapa crafts a colorful universe from two backyards that is a pleasure to visit; I only wish I could stay longer. Pititi (Peaches) is able to harness both ends of existence and tie them up together in a bright, shiny bow. You’re gonna enjoy it.
