We Were Dangerous tells the fictional story of GCM's Lou (Nathalie Morris) and Daisy (Manaia Hall) who attend an institution for delinquent girls on an isolated island. 

Written by New Yorker cartoonist Maddie Dai and the feature debut of director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu (Waru), We Were Dangerous is much more than just a coming-of-age caper. Set against a backdrop of colonisation, patriarchy, conservatism and godliness, it touches on many difficult parts of our recent history, before revealing a much darker truth at its heart. 

It’s chilling to contemplate how many people have been classified as 'other' or 'undesirable' throughout history. As a result many have been subjected to horrific and dehumanizing treatment. Conditions perceived as abnormal and deplorable have often been used to justify incarceration or forced rehabilitation. We Were Dangerous looks at a group of girls deemed incorrigible and forced to work towards becoming socially acceptable women, and a few who refused to let their personalities be erased by a repressive and backward-thinking society…

Set in 1954 in New Zealand, We Were Dangerous begins with the escape attempt of Nellie (Erana James) and Daisy (Manaia Hall) from a school for delinquent girls. As a result of their unsuccessful efforts, the school is relocated to an island where its reluctant students can be more properly and easily kept away from the outside world. The arrival of Lou (Nathalie Morris) results in an unexpected friendship of different spirits, all united by their desire to remain hopeful and resilient while under strict surveillance from the coldhearted matron (Rima Te Wiata). 

We Were Dangerous opened the Auckland leg of Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival – a significant honour, 2023′s was Oscar-winner Anatomy of a Fall – and Stewart-Te Whiu’s picture is being released into a country that’s grappling with how we handled “problems” in the past, let alone now.

Feat GCM's up and coming talent Manaia Ruiha Hall and her first major role playing the lead Daisy on We Were Dangerous. When Hall is not on screens, Manaia is a passionate singer and inspiring athlete. Hall embodies independence and is a fiercely strong and empowered wahine. 

Also in the film is GCM's Nathalie Morris who is currently filming the fifth and final season of Bump; the beloved Stan original series. She’s also celebrating the release of We Were Dangerous, a New Zealand coming-of-age film which premiered at SXSW, before screening at both Sydney Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival. In it, she plays a fiercely feminist queer rich girl — with plenty of attitude.

Discover when We Were Dangerous will screen at MIFF here.