Stunning NZ Films You Should Know About
“New Zealand certainly brings a fair few ‘bests’ to the table. Aside from being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, responsible for some of the greatest exploratory and scientific minds, New Zealand has also produced some of the best and most original films,” writes Caroline Frost in an article for The Huffington Post, which lists eight stunning New Zealand movies.
- Boy – Taika Waititi (2010)
The coming of age comedy drama Boy “revolves around an imaginative 11-year-old, attempting to make sense of the world, while dealing with the return of his just-out-of-jail father” and has won in its section at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, according to the article.
- Goodbye Pork Pie – (1981)
Goodbye Pork Pie, written and directed by George Murphy, is considered to “be one of the first films that made people stand up and take New Zealand filmmaking seriously.” The story follows young Gerry, who hires a mini with stolen driver’s license and John, who has just been left by his wife. Together they hit the road to travel the length of the country.”
- Heavenly Creatures – Peter Jackson (1994)
Heavenly Creatures, directed by Peter Jackson, “follows the true story of the notorious 1954 Parker-Hulme murder case in Christchurch, New Zealand.” The film deals predominantly with the obsessive relationship between two teenage girls Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme who murder Parker’s mother.
- Once Were Warriors – Lee Tamahori (1994)
“Directed from the best-selling Alan Duff novel, Once Were Warriors tells the story of the Hekes, an urban Maori family and their issues of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence,” as reported in the article.
- Sleeping Dogs – Roger Donaldson (1977)
Sleeping Dogs, based on the book Smith’s Dream by C.K. Stead was directed by Roger Donaldson and starred Sam Neill, Clyde Scott and Warren Oates. The film was described as a political thriller with action elements.
Frost also lists Jane Campion’s The Piano, Roger Donaldson’s The World’s Fastest Indian and Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople. To read more about these films please click here.
Article Source: Huffington Post UK, Caroline Frost, September 16, 2016
Image Source: Youtube
