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This Way of Life

Play trailer Poster for This Way of Life 2009 1h 28m Documentary Action Adventure Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
This documentary explores the lives of Peter and Colleen Karena, who have eschewed mainstream society to take up residence in a remote part of New Zealand. There, they raise their many children in a self-sustaining home. They work with horses, hunt for food and hold on tightly to their idyllic existence. But Peter's callous father owns the Karenas' land, and he decides to sell the ranch to new owners, who threaten to disrupt the simple lifestyle maintained by Colleen and Peter.

Critics Reviews

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Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) . . .This Way of Life from Canadian cinematographer and director Tom Burstyn is fascinating, not only for what it captures onscreen, but for what it reminds you of off screen. Aug 22, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A Raw, Day-In-The-Life Look At How Those 'Hill People' Live. It's Interesting Enough, But I Did Feel For The Kids Dragged Along This Off-Beat Alternative Choice In Living & A Family Feud Where Both Father/Son Took Pride, Over Possible Forgiveness. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Magical, Thought-provoking and Inspired. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Great story of a simple family that's surrounded by a strong father that just wants a simple life pull of love and joy Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member The fearlessness of this family is very rare. To live for love and without fear in the face of adversity. A unique and inspiring New Zealand documentary about a family who just want to live their own way with their horses and to be left alone. If only! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I've never reviewed a movie before but this one is amazing! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Such an interesting story of family, but I must say, that film would profit re-editing - it looks like director fell in love beautiful material, which does not make the story go on. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
This Way of Life

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This Way of Life

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary explores the lives of Peter and Colleen Karena, who have eschewed mainstream society to take up residence in a remote part of New Zealand. There, they raise their many children in a self-sustaining home. They work with horses, hunt for food and hold on tightly to their idyllic existence. But Peter's callous father owns the Karenas' land, and he decides to sell the ranch to new owners, who threaten to disrupt the simple lifestyle maintained by Colleen and Peter.
Director
Thomas Burstyn
Producer
Barbara Sumner-Burstyn
Screenwriter
Barbara Sumner-Burstyn
Genre
Documentary, Action, Adventure, Biography
Original Language
Australian English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Runtime
1h 28m