LION KING IN MAORI LANGUAGE

Courtesy Flicks.com.nz

In New Zealand, a new production of The Lion King opened on Tuesday, with a key cultural difference.

Most of the dialogue has been translated into Maori language.

Musical director Pere Wihongi also translated the lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice into his own language.

“I was quite stunned as to the quality of how each of the cast members portrayed each of the characters,” he said. “Not only as their own reflective animals but the quality of their vocal capabilities and their execution levels. And being able to package this award-winning, ground-breaking film in the indigenous language of Atearoa.”

Wihongi said there were plans to release the film in Australia, starting in Queensland.