Bob Lowry, wearing an eyepatch and crown, holds a finger in the air. The graphic is white and teal.

I Am a Dark River

1h 10m

A playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.
Warning: suicide references.

Made with the support of Creative New Zealand

Series details.

Credits

Orlando Stewart
Producer
Dr. Emma Willis
Associate Producer
Tess Mitchell
Director

Where to get help:

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: Free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11:00am-10.30pm, 7 days a week, or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11:00am-11:00pm
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 8:00pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6:00pm-9:00pm)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Funded by

Creative NZ

Get in touch

More like this

  • Back to Timor

    Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?
    Back to Timor/Film
    43m

  • Trailer

    After years of tension, the harrowing 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupt in India, leaving thousands dead. 1984 follows survivors seeking asylum in Aotearoa.
    1984/
    2m

  • Fly Like a Moa

    Kauri isn't allowed to go rock-climbing with Lani. Kauri meets a moa and learns that everyone has different strengths.
    What Will I Be Today?/Season 1/Episode 1
    5m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara

    The Taranaki pā site of Pukerangiora holds a significant place in New Zealand’s military history as a lasting symbol of Māori resistance and resilience.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara/Film
    44m

  • Whitiki

    A video documentary that tells the stories of three Māori Pioneers who went to battle in WWI, through the eyes of their descendants.
    Whitiki/Film
    52m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui

    NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui is the third compelling chapter in RNZ’s award-winning documentary project on the New Zealand Wars.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui/Film
    48m

  • Dealing with Loss

    This episode looks at the devastating effect introduced mammals have had on New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
    Fight for the Wild/Episode 1
    45m

  • Episode 1

    We investigate the occupation at Ihumātao from the perspective of the leaders of the campaign to #ProtectIhumātao.
    Ake Ake Ake/Episode 1
    55m

  • Kororā: Little Blue Penguin

    In 2020, a Banks Peninsula family works to protect and survey the Indigenous population of white-flippered penguins, through predator trapping and citizen science.
    Kororā: Little Blue Penguin/Film
    30m

  • Documentary

    A riveting slice of New Zealand history telling the iconic story of Crown Lynn pottery and the generations of Māori families that worked there.
    Crown Lynn: A Māori Story /Film
    53m

  • Meng

    Meng is a one hour bilingual documentary that follows former Gisborne mayor and current Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon.
    Meng/Film
    52m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau

    The fourth epic chapter in the award-winning NZ Wars series. Presented by Mihingarangi Forbes.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau/Film
    56m

  • Tania Waikato on the Haka That Shook the World, the Political Fall, and Why She Opposes the Regulatory Standards Bill

    In the wake of an unprecedented punishment for the haka that drew global attention to the Treaty Principles Bill, Te Pāti Māori legal representative Tania Waikato reflects on the fallout, the opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill, and what this moment reveals about Māori political power.
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes /Season 3/Episode 11
    27m

  • The Chief

    In episode one, we first meet the prominent Māori chief Te Whakatōhea Chief Mokomoko who dedicates his life to protecting the land and people of Bay of Plenty's Te Whakatōhea Iwi.
    Stolen Lands: Betrayal of a Chief/Episode 1
    29m

  • Flower Pot Boombox

    Fat Freddy’s Drop depart Auckland, bound for London, 2003. Taking up residence for six weeks in Tooting, South London, the band sets up a studio in the lounge, and get straight into rehearsals and making beats.
    MARAUDERS/Season 1/Episode 1
    9m

  • Part 1 (2024)

    Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.
    Ruamata: It's More Than Hockey/Film
    1h 0m

  • Katchafire: Legacy

    The story of the Māori band Katchafire, as they struggle to find their way through volatile creative differences and a changing music landscape.
    Katchafire: Legacy/Film
    53m

  • Scott Beard

    Detective Inspector Scott Beard opens up about tackling child abuse, leading the Grace Millane case, and how tech is changing crime. Plus, why increased surveillance is taking its toll on homicide investigators, and the simple hand signal that could save a child's life..
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 3/Episode 12
    33m

  • All Blacks at War

    Former All Black Andrew Mehrtens MNZM shares the story of the 13 All Blacks killed in WWI.
    All Blacks at War/Film
    44m

  • NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana

    The fifth chapter of this series, NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana recounts the events that unfolded in the Bay of Plenty and their far-reaching consequences for future generations.
    NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana/Film
    48m

  • Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth

    It was the social movement that changed the country's political landscape. 20 years on, Tāmati Rimene-Sproat retraces the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed march, all the way back to the steps of Parliament.
    Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth/Film
    59m

  • Ground Work

    In the first of a three-part series, bands from Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland travel to Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships.
    12,000 Miles/Episode 1
    36m

  • Lau Yuet Seen

    It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong.
    Farewell Guangdong/Episode 1
    22m

  • Overview

    We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi—Aotearoa's founding document—and how it's shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickards sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context.
    Treaty Talks/Episode 1
    46m

  • Inspiration to Write

    Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.
    Shine On Katherine Mansfield/Episode 1
    7m

Video section home

Text reads, "Treaty Talks Aotearoa, Hosted by Kara Rickard". Surrounding the text is an image of a version of the Coat of Arms, the 'Crown' figure is holding a Māori flag.
A man wearing sunglasses and a tartan hat is looking out to the left. Text reads, "Our Other Islands".
The side profile of a man holding a guitar with a microphone on a stand in front of him. Text reads, "Legacy: Katchafire" and has a boarder around the perimeter of the frame.
Black and white image of a portion of an All Blacks rugby team photo. Men standing with arms folded looking at the camera wearing sports uniforms. Text reads, "All Blacks at War".
Black and white faces of Helen Clark, Dame Jenny Shipley, Jim Bolger Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore, with the words 'The 9th Floor' underneath them. The background of the image is black.
In India, a group of people walk down a path in front of a historic building. Above the building in orange reads: "1984"
The host, Mihingarangi Forbes, smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Mata".
A close up of a video game controller, the lighting makes it look slightly pink and blue. Text reads, "Game Change".
Person on purple background resting their head in their hand. Only their head and chest is visible. Purple text along bottom of image reads, "AMPLIFIED".
Foggy scene with silhouettes of a part of a person. Text reads, "Stolen Lands: Betrayal of a Chief".
A background image made up of red orange and blue shapes. Text reads, "Shine One Katherine Mansfield" in the 'O' is a black and white photograph of Katherine Mansfield's face.
Side profile of a persons face, silhouetted against a setting sun out of frame. Text reads, "Imposter".
A sepia toned photograph laying on a table. The photograph is of a man looking over his shoulder at the camera, he is wearing headphones and sitting in from of a switch board. Text reads, "Coast Watchers Operation Pacific".
A two dimensional Illustration of a screen showing DNA shapes in front a conveyor belt with kākāpō on it. Text reads, "What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa".
A birds'-eye view of some military items sitting scattered on a desk, including a map, a hat, playing cards, and a couple of coins. The text in the middle reads "Back to Timor."
Text reads, "Matangireia with Morgan Godfery". Background is beige with an out of focus letter M in fancy script.
An adult person is holding a young child in their arms and hugging them. Text reads, "Blind Bitter Happiness".
A white pick-up truck drives up a winding country road, surrounded by dry New Zealand farmland. The text reads "The Turning Point"
Six people standing in a row wearing indoor netball bibs. The person in the centre is holding a netball and smiling that the camera, everyone else looks curious or fed up. Text reads, "Here If You Need".
Text reads, "Mata Reports". It sits on a dark grey background. Along the top of the image is a kōwhaiwhai pattern.
Black text on a beige background, text reads "Fight for the Wild". Behind the text are three illustrations, one is of New Zealand the other is a disembodied head of a Tūī and the third is a fantail.
A podcast cover for "The Aotearoa History Show" features the title written in colorful, chalk-like letters on a blackboard background. The words "THE" and "AOTEAROA" are in light blue, "HISTORY" is in pink, and "SHOW" is in green with green chalk lines radiating outwards.
Dark grey background with yellow text reading, "The Barber Shope". There is a illustration in the same yellow of a Māori design.
A sand dune with the ocean behind it in a cove, everything shadowy and violet in the twilight. The text reads "Whitiki! Whītī! Whītī! E!"