Student management and discipline at predominantly Polynesian Aorere College in Mangere are the domain of Pakeha assistant principal Mr Peach. Working at the school herself, filmmaker Juliette Veber was intrigued by the man's almost comical assumption of authority as he marched about with a megaphone to round up students for class. Why did so many of them tolerate this?Focusing on his dealings with a handful of troubled students, she sees how intuitive his methods are and how attuned to the community. He grew up in Otara himself and believes steadfastly in the value of education and self-respect. No stranger to the challenges the students face at home and on the streets, he has a way of proving how intently interested he is in them as individuals while being completely intolerant of their truancy, drug taking or violence. However un-pc or inelegant his methods, his valiance is beyond question.

The question that does hover over Trouble is whether the solutions to the problems these kids face must always be found within their community. €” BG

Trouble is My Business is Juliette Veber's first documentary. She has worked in the film industry for 12 years. She has produced two dramatic feature films: The Price of Milk as producer in 1997 and Toy Love as producer in 2002. She is based in Wellington and currently works at the New Zealand Film Commission as the Short Film Sales & Marketing Manager.

Trouble is My Business
Director: Juliette Veber
Year: 2008
Running time: 85 mins
New Zealand
Producers: Vicky Pope, Juliette Veber
Photography: Juliette Veber
Editor: Cushla Dillon
Sound: Juliette Veber, Rachel Shearer
Music: Joost Langeveld
DigiBeta

International Film Festivals screenings

Saturday 26-Jul-08 3:15 pm Paramount Wellington

Friday, 01-Aug-08, 1:45 pm, Rialto 2, Christchurch

Friday, 01-Aug-08, 6:00 pm, Rialto 2, Christchurch

Sunday, 03-Aug-08, 3:30 pm, Rialto, Dunedin

Tuesday, 05-Aug-08, 11:45am, Rialto, Dunedin

Sunday, 13-Jul-08, 1:15pm, Skycity, Auckland

Tuesday, 15-Jul-08, 11:00am, Skycity, Auckland

24/07/08