Music Industry News

Trailblazing Aotearoa artist Theia (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru) has collaborated with Sweetshop Entertainment, the producers of the newly released feature film MĀRAMA, alongside songwriter Karl Steven, to create a new audio recording and music video titled ‘Holy War II’.

Reimagined from Theia’s original song ‘Holy War’, from her critically acclaimed debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, ‘Holy War II’ has been newly recorded specifically for the film and will be used in conjunction with filmed material to create promotional content supporting the release of MĀRAMA.

Written and directed by Taratoa Stappard, MĀRAMA is his striking feature debut and is released nationwide today.

Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the 2025 Discovery programme, celebrated for spotlighting bold new cinematic voices, MĀRAMA has continued an impressive global festival run. The film has screened at Fantastic Fest, the Zurich Film Festival, and Sitges, and later this month will screen at both the Hawai‘i International Film Festival and AFI Fest, further cementing its reputation as a standout new voice in Māori Gothic cinema.

Set in the moody world of Victorian-era North Yorkshire, MĀRAMA follows a young Māori woman’s battle to reclaim her identity and reconnect with her Indigenous culture while living in a foreign land.

The collaboration with Theia on ‘Holy War II’, made with the support of Whakaata Māori and the film’s composers Karl Sölve Steven and Rob Thorne, brings together music and moving image in a work that amplifies the film’s themes through Theia’s unmistakable sonic and political voice. Her work is synonymous with unflinching storytelling and emotionally charged performances – qualities that align powerfully with the world and narrative of MĀRAMA.

“Many of the songs on my album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD represent Indigenous resistance to imperialism – like the themes which run throughout Mārama. After watching an early screening of the film, I started to envisage ‘Holy War’ being rearranged to include aspects of Mārama’s sonic palette and I was thrilled to work with Karl on this,” comments Theia.

This collaboration represents a powerful creative convergence between music and film, amplifying MĀRAMA’s cultural influence while expanding Theia’s uncompromising artistic vision into the cinematic realm. The ‘Holy War II’ music video was directed, filmed and edited by Shae Stirling.

“Holy War II is imbued with the anger and pain colonisation inflicted on my people. You hear this in the reo kootike waahine Maaori (Maaori female soprano voices) commanding the listener to hear our plea for the end of conflict. This high level of mamae is also evident in the video; and yet the steadfast hope and importance of female solidarity beams through,” she adds.

“Theia’s music and especially this new collaboration with Holy War II amplifies MĀRAMA’s energy and themes. Along with a powerful score by Karl Sölve Steven & Rob Thorne, Theia offers a unique sonic lens through which audiences can engage with MĀRAMA’s cultural and political impact before they even see it,” comments the films writer and director Taratoa Stappard.

Watch the video here.

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The award-winning Theia (AKA Em-Haley Kukutai Walker) has received critical praise from around the world for GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, which she co-produced with Abraham Kunin. Listed by Rolling Stone Australia as #3 in their Top 50 NZ Albums of 2025, the record blends ethereal folk, Indigenous soul, and art-rock influences.

Theia kicks off her Aotearoa tour in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland at Whammy on Friday, February 27. She will play a special show exclusively for her haukāinga at Tauranganui Marae in Port Waikato on Saturday, February 28; before wrapping up the tour at Meow in Wellington on Thursday, March 5.