Minginui (2004)

Minginui, a small town in New Zealand's Whirinaki Forest, was founded in the 1940s for Forestry Department workers. The town's sawmill closed in the 1980s when native forest logging stopped and forestry became private. In 1990, the government transferred the land and buildings to Ngati Whare. Today, 280 people live in the village, relying on the land and government benefits. Adam Luxton and Summer Agnew's documentary presents a striking, almost artistic portrayal of the town, observing the inhabitants with minimal interaction, unlike Florian Habicht's film. The filmmakers capture moments like ceremonies, sporting rituals, and children at play with a sense of detached observation, set against a backdrop of mist and forest. Their film evokes an eerie beauty, highlighting the town's stillness, isolation, and gradual decline, while also depicting Maori culture.