September 2024
The Māori language version of the animated movie musical Encanto opened yesterday in time for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week in Aotearoa New Zealand.
It’s the fifth Disney animation in seven years to be re-versioned by Tāmaki Makaurau-based Matewa Media.
Matewa producer Chelsea Winstanley, from Ngāti Ranginui and Ngai Te Rangi, says she loves the reaction to the films from Kohanga and Kura kids.
“And they are laughing, crying, and clapping at all the sounds. And it’s the songs that get you too. I think our babies – and our whānau whānui actually – are just overwhelmed by the quality. And that’s the coolest thing, Māori have so much amazing talent,” she says.
Chelsea Winstanley says Matewa’s re-versioning schedule has benefited greatly from the advances made on the VoiceQ localisation software developed by Māori-owned Kiwa Digital.
Check out all Matewa Media’s Disney Reo Maori projects here www.matewamedia.nz
