Hinemoa's primary photo
  • Hinemoa (1913)
  • Short | 42 min | Short, Drama, Romance
Primary photo for Hinemoa
Hinemoa (1913)
Short | 42 min | Short, Drama, Romance
Hinemoa was a Maori maiden of high rank and rare beauty, the daughter of a chief. She dwelt on the borders of Lake Rotorua in all the splendor of her father's camp. On the island of Mokoia, in the center of the lake, dwelt chief Whakaue. ...See moreHinemoa was a Maori maiden of high rank and rare beauty, the daughter of a chief. She dwelt on the borders of Lake Rotorua in all the splendor of her father's camp. On the island of Mokoia, in the center of the lake, dwelt chief Whakaue. his three sons, and Tutanekai, son of the chief's wife by another father. Thus Tutanekai, bearing the ban of illegitimacy, was scorned by his stepbrothers, but treated as a son by the noble old chief. The three brothers sought the hand of Hinemoa in marriage, but she bestowed her love on Tutanekai, much to the brothers' dismay and to that of Hinemoa's parents, who forbade her to marry Tutanekai because of the blight in his birth. She refused to choose another, so a great running match was decided upon to determine who should win her. Tutanekai was the victor. In spite of which, Hinemoa's people still refused to permit them to marry. And to prevent any possibility of the lovers joining, Tutanekai was sent back to the island of Mokoia and all boats were removed from the lake. Every evening at dusk, Tutanekai, from his island three miles distant serenaded Hinemoa with his flute, and she, in her camp, was thrilled and encouraged by his notes of love, until at length she could bear the separation no longer. Shrouded by the night, she plunged into the frigid waters of the lake, and, guided by his flute, swam three miles to the island of Mokoia. Exhausted, she rested and hid in a natural warm bath and resorted to strategy to bring forth her lover, for to be found by any other man and taken into his sleeping hut, would have meant to become his wife, according to Maori law and custom. By a clever scheme she attracts Tutanekai to the bath and together they secretly entered Tutanekai's hut. The three step-brothers were enraged, but the old chief protected and honored Tutanekai. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Gaston Méliès
Cinematographer
Charles Newham
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 27, 1913
Release date
Mar 27, 1913 (United States)

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