Night Ride

Why does a mother-of-ten still return to the old family house every night to feed stray cats?

We need your support to tell this intimate story of a mother’s everlasting bond with her children, on Loading Docs’ award-winning short documentary platform.

THE FILM

In a once-bustling small town, a 66-year-old mother has developed an unusual night ritual of returning to her old home to care for street cats. As her son recounts the first time he realised it was an obsession with larger implications for him and his siblings, he wants to find out why.

“She started missing important family events; funerals and birthdays. She told me she couldn’t come to my graduation because she had to feed the cats.” - Todd Karehana

Night Ride sees filmmaker Todd Karehana return to his rural hometown to join his mother Alma on her nightly ritual, feeding stray cats. On the surface, the film is about a son trying to understand his mother’s obsession, but the heart of the story is about a woman that longs for her children, and children that regardless-of-their-age, long for their mother.

Todd, and increasing numbers of rural-born Māori, are leaving their ageing parents behind to pursue careers in the city. This documentary explores the realities of growing up, and provides a discussion around family bonds. Every parent and child will experience some form of separation anxiety in their lives.

THE TEAM

Director Todd Karehana (Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana) is a visual storyteller with a passion for creating new images of minorities. Samantha is a South African-born, Auckland-based producer whose work is informed by the female gaze and underrepresented human stories.

THE TARGET

As part of the Loading Docs initiative, we need to raise a minimum of $3,500 through Boosted to fund our three-day journey filming in Kawerau, which includes paying our crew and collaborators.

Once we reach our minimum target, it will unlock additional funding from Loading Docs. If we don’t reach our target, we get nothing! That’s why we need your help. 

Loading Docs is an award-winning short documentary initiative to develop New Zealand filmmaking talent. Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho.

Thanks for your aroha and manaakitanga, Ngā mihi x