Maori filmmaker Merata Mita directed and produced this controversial documentary. The importance of sports in New Zealand society cannot be underestimated; but as the world (and many surprised New Zealanders) found out in 1981, neither can the importance of politics. The visit of the South African Springbok rugby team to New Zealand literally tore that quiet society in two as an anti-Apartheid movement to prohibit or at least impede the tour grew to massive proportions, and pro-tour sports fans came out in leagues to meet it. Merata Mita braved violent crowds and heavy-handed government attempts to suppress her footage in order to capture New Zealand's most explosive moment in recent history on film. Patu! is a remarkable exercise in cinema verité and hard-won journalistic footage from other sources. The result, which takes a protest from inception to bloody climax, is an important and fascinating document of our time.