Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s gripping Māori reform school drama “We Were Dangerous” is set to hit Seattle and Tacoma screens April 4, expanding to 20 cities by April 11.

The New Zealand coming-of-age drama nabbed a Special Jury Award at SXSW 2024 and has been acquired by Mark Sayre’s emerging distribution outfit The Forge, adding to the company’s growing slate of independent features.

Set in 1954 at the remote Te Motu School for Incorrigible and Delinquent Girls, “We Were Dangerous” follows three Māori teenagers Nellie, Daisy, and Louisa, who forge a powerful bond while resisting the institution’s Christian indoctrination program. The trio — portrayed with remarkable authenticity by Erana James, Manaia Hall, and Nathalie Morris — deliver performances that anchor the film’s emotional core, creating a believable friendship that evolves as they navigate their challenging circumstances.

On the island, the girls are ruled by a stern school Matron (Rima Te Wiata), who dishes out constant labor and strict discipline. Driven by a desire to please her white Christian superiors, Matron becomes swept up in a horrifying plan to sterilize the girls, tragically convincing herself of its necessity.

Once the truth is discovered by the three teens, they push back on authority and devise a plan of resistance culminating in some well choreographed hijinx and a fiery finale.

The film showcases both the expansive beauty and intimate corners of New Zealand’s landscape through cinematography that shifts between grand vistas and intimate character moments. The cinematography (lensed by María Inés Manchego) acts as a silent character, contrasting the natural beauty of the surroundings with the stifling and tense confines of the institution.

At 83 minutes, the film moves at an engaging clip, never losing sight of the emotional core that drives these young women. The woman-led production also features local non-actors in supporting roles, creating an environment that feels genuine rather than manufactured.  

Sayre’s The Forge, operating out of Vashon Island where he also runs the Vashon Film Institute and Film Festival, continues to build an eclectic slate with this acquisition, following pickups including “Boom!,” “Sujo,” “Black Dog” and “The Balconettes.”

“We Were Dangerous is exactly the kind of bold, urgent, and fiercely original storytelling that The Forge was built to champion,” says CEO Mark Sayre. “Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s powerful feature debut is a vital, deeply felt story of resistance, girlhood, and survival—one that resonates far beyond its period setting.”

Despite some heavy themes explored in this film, the rebellious spirit and deep connection of the central trio – Nelly, Daisy, and Lou – bring humor and upliftment. Their shared experiences and infectious camaraderie create moments of genuine warmth and recognition.

With “We Are Dangerous” you’ll find yourself deeply invested in the teens’ struggles on this remote island, cheering for their small victories, and ultimately celebrating their triumph.