Kia Kaha: A documentary about the man who declared war on suicide.

Kia Kaha is an Australian documentary in development by 3rd year Curtin University students that tells the redemption story of Leon Ruri, a Maori father who lost everything - and nearly his own life, as a result of poor life choices, only to use his pain and past experiences to start a national movement combining the Haka - a proud Maori war-dance - with suicide prevention.

Leon Ruri is the founder of the non-profit organisation, Haka for Life, that combines the empowering capabilities of the haka with suicide prevention.

We as filmmakers are especially invested in this project, as several members of our Kia Kaha whanau have been personally affected by suicide.

Our project is a raw, authentic, no-nonsense documentary about one man’s journey from wanting to kill himself, to starting a national movement for taking a stand against suicide.





Suicide is a huge problem.

Every three hours, one Australian takes their own life. Of those deaths, 75% are men.

In the UK, suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45.

In the USA, men are nearly 4 times as likely to die by suicide than women.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 15 and 44.

Indigenous Australians are two times as likely to commit suicide than non-indigenous Australians.

Aside from the emotional toll it has on surviving family members, suicide also costs money. In 2015 alone, suicide and self-harm cost the US $69 billion.

To call suicide an epidemic is an understatement.





Sources:

https://anglicaresa.com.au/6-startling-facts-about-suicide-in-australia/

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/clinical-resources/suicide-self-harm/facts-about-suicide-in-australia

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190313-why-more-men-kill-themselves-than-women



https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/





Here’s what we’re doing about it

Having experienced depression and suicidal thoughts himself, Leon Ruri is no stranger to the impact that suicide has on people - especially on the innocent bystanders who lose friends and family members to it.

This is why he has made it his mission to literally declare war on suicide through using the Maori war dance, the Haka, to empower men (and women!) of all ages and races to take a stand against suicide. His methods, which are backed by self-development institutions such as Landmark Worldwide, aim to encourage men to speak up about “mind health” - as Leon calls it - and not succumb to becoming another statistic.

And Leon’s methods are scientifically proven to help prevent suicide.

According to the Australian Department of Sport and Recreation, physical activity (such as doing a Haka!) can act as an effective treatment for moderate cases of anxiety and depression. This is because physical activity releases ‘happy’ chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine.

Our role as documentary filmmakers is to provide Leon Ruri with a platform to spread his message of standing against suicide.

Kia Kaha will provide an insight not only into what it’s like to live with depression, but also inspire hope by showing you how it’s never too late to turn your life around.

Our goal with Kia Kaha is to show people, especially young men, the importance of being honest and open and how, in Leon’s words “being open is the key to preventing suicide”.

https://headtohealth.gov.au/meaningful-life/connectedness/community

https://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/support-and-advice/research-and-policies/organised-recreational-activity-and-mental-health





You can help us to build the platform that will promote Leon’s message of CHOOSING LIFE to the world.

Our goal is to raise $5000 AUD to build the platform to promote the message of CHOOSING LIFE.

In September this year, Leon and his Haka for Life whanau will be traveling from Perth, Australia, to LA, California, in order to take his message of preserving life internationally for the first time ever. This will be done by organising a flash-mob-style Haka of 100 men from all over the globe to perform on Venice Beach, LA on the 7th of September in a stand against suicide.

And your help will get a three-person team of us there to film this momentous occasion.

Your help will not only help take Leon’s message internationally, but it will assist us in paying for our flights to LA and accommodation, as well as hiring our award-winning composer, Mason Vellios, to produce an original Kia Kaha soundtrack!

Your contribution will also allow us to enter multiple prestigious film festivals around the globe to take Leon’s message of preserving life even further. (#cannes2020)

Still not convinced? Just check out our awesome perks your level of donation will get you!

Even if you can’t donate money, there are still ways you can help!

SHARE. SHARE. SHARE. SHARE.

That’s right, just simply sharing our campaign will generate interest and hopefully encourage others to donate.





And here’s some amazing perks for supporting us that you can’t live without





$20 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook





$50 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook and a Kia Kaha poster with a personal message from our subject, Leon Ruri





$75 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook, a Kia Kaha poster with a personal message from our subject, Leon Ruri, as well as a digital link to the Kia Kaha documentary





$100 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook, a Kia Kaha poster with a personal message from our subject, Leon Ruri, a digital link to the Kia Kaha documentary and a film credit





$150 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook, a Kia Kaha poster with a personal message from our subject, Leon Ruri, a digital link to the Kia Kaha documentary, a film credit and two tickets to the private screening of Kia Kaha (Tickets available to Perth residents only)





$250 or more

A shout out from the crew of Kia Kaha on Facebook, a Kia Kaha poster with a personal message from our subject, Leon Ruri, a digital link to the Kia Kaha documentary, a film credit, two tickets to the private screening of Kia Kaha and a set visit on our final shooting day in September (Tickets and set visit available to Perth residents only)





Our crew

Producer: Holly Miller

Writer / Director: Sam Siversson

Assistant Producer: Hayley Neil

Director of Photography: Bayley Simonds

Editor: Kyle Bartlett

Assistant Editor: Maxwell Goldie

Sound Recordist: Zak Birrell

Music Composer: Mason Vellios

Stills Photographer: John Rousselet







