We Were Dangerous

Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s We Were Dangerous is a simmering, potent drama set against the stark backdrop of a 1954 New Zealand reform school. It’s a story of rebellion, told through the intertwined fates of Nellie and Daisy, two young women seeking escape from a system that seeks to break them. The arrival of Lou adds a complex layer to their dynamic, as the girls navigate the oppressive regime of a devout matron and the unsettling experimental punishments meted out under the cover of night. Director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu doesn’t shy away from the darkness, but rather leans into moments of joy and absurdity in what the trio of young women face. The film pulses with a quiet rage, a testament to the enduring power of friendship in the face of systemic injustice. It’s a challenging, yet deeply human story.Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu — last name pronounced Stewart Teh Few — (Ngāpuhi/Te Rarawa) is a New Zealand-based writer and director of Māori and Pākehā descent. In 2016, Josephine was one of the nine Māori women filmmakers involved in Waru, which premiered at TIFF 2017. Available in-person only. Film viewing availability during the online Festival (June 9-15, 2025): Ohskennón:ten Owí:ra (Little Deer) (only in Canada).