Cousins "Cousins" (not rated, 1 hour, 38 minutes, Netflix) Directed by Maori filmmakers Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith, "Cousins" is produced by an all-female Maori team and features nine Maori actresses. It's a powerful ensemble epic about identity and family that had its world premiere at the Maoriland Film Festival, held in March in Otaki, New Zealand, where it won the 2021 People's Choice for Best Feature Drama and debuted at No. 1 at New Zealand's box office when it was released earlier this year. At the heart of the story are three Maori cousins. Orphaned Mata believes she has no whanau (family) and lives out her childhood in fear and bewilderment. Educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage to study law and begin the search for her missing cousin Mata, leaving behind dutiful Missy, who takes on Makareta's role of kaitiaki (guardian) of the land. As the years pass, their promise to bring their stolen cousin home seems more unlikely than ever, until a chance encounter changes everything.