Filmed over the course of four years, Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds follows musician Marlon Williams as he takes on a deeply personal project, producing his first album entirely in te reo Māori, Te Whare Tīwekaweka.
Directed by Ursula Grace Williams in her feature debut, the film travels with Marlon through international tours, quiet moments at home, and time spent with his band as he works to reconnect with his Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai roots.
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Williams began his musical journey as a teenager writing songs in Lyttelton before developing a distinctive country sound that took him to the world stage.
Now, through te reo Māori, he adds a new layer to his artistry, and the documentary captures that transition with honesty and care.
The film documents his journey to create what would become a highly successful number one album.
He is not a fluent te reo speaker, and he openly admits that, but it is part of what makes the film so engaging.
It is especially enjoyable watching the process unfold in a remote recording studio in Haast with his band.
He is laid-back, self-aware, and funny, and the film does a brilliant job capturing his quirky humour.
You can tell he does not take himself too seriously, but he takes the work seriously enough to create something truly special.
He is also honest about the reality of touring. It is not all glamour.
He explains how he often gets by on just three hours of sleep, using whatever is left of his adrenaline to perform for an incredibly loyal fanbase. These moments ground the film in a reality most people do not see.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, which provide the perfect dose of light relief just when you think things might get too heavy.
And while the film very briefly touches on the politically charged environment in New Zealand, it quickly pivots back to what the documentary is all about.. having a good time and sharing your talent with others…anything else is just noise.
Despite brushing up against serious topics like identity, language, and the pressures of fame, the film always stays warm and grounded.
Visually, the film is beautifully shot. From wide New Zealand landscapes to quiet studio corners, every frame feels intentional without being overdone.
When I was watching the documentary, I found myself entering an unfamiliar but incredibly entertaining and pleasant world.
It felt almost like a little bit of therapy, thanks to its uplifting spirit.
There is something powerful about watching a group of friends who genuinely care about each other and the project doing what they love: creating music.
The film did an amazing job capturing Marlon Williams’s authenticity. What I saw on stage before and after the film was exactly the person we see in the documentary. Someone full of love, someone thoughtful, someone who does not mind the spotlight, but who also manages to share the limelight with his friends, his family, and both his local and international community.
After watching this film, I could not wait to get home and stream his songs from his new album.
Now I get it. Now I understand why his album went number one.
Congratulations Marlon. You deserve every bit of success.
