Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Damon Fepulea’i Stars: John-Paul Foliaki, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, Nathaniel Lees, Tevita Finau, Valeti Finau, Onetoto Ikavuka, Lupeti Finau, Ilaisanne Green. In 2011 the Rugby World Cup Final was played in Wellington in New Zealand, and the Tongan team caused a massive upset by beating the highly favoured French team… continue reading »
COUSINS
Reviewed by GREG KING Directors: Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith Stars Tanea Heke, Rachel House, Briar Grace-Smith, Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Tioreore Melbourne, Hariata Moriarty, Kayahna Patrick Wiliam, Te Raukura Gray. This New Zealand drama deals with themes of family, culture, tradition, history, connection to land, identity, memory, and the impact of colonialism on the… continue reading »
PECKING ORDER
Reviewed by GREG KING Documentary Director: Slavko Martinov. Last year we saw Chicken People, a US documentary set against the background of competitive chicken raising, and we met three people obsessed with raising their chickens and competing in best of show competitions. This quirky and off beat New Zealand documentary explores some similar territory in… continue reading »
PORK PIE – interview with Matt Murphy
by GREG KING Pork Pie is a fast paced road movie about three misfits who travel from one end of New Zealand to the other in a stolen mini Cooper. The film is a remake of New Zealand filmmaker Geoff Murphy’s seminal road movie which helped kick start the New Zealand film industry. Ironically this… continue reading »
POI E: THE STORY OF OUR SONG
Reviewed by GREG KING Documentary Director: Te Arepa Kahi. Recorded by the Patea Maori Choir in 1984, Poi E was an infectious song that became a cultural phenomenon and a cultural touchstone for the Maori people. It was the first song in the traditional Maori language to top the charts in New Zealand. It topped… continue reading »
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016 REVIEWS
by GREG KING The Melbourne International Film Festival screens from July 28 through until August 14. There are some 300 features and documentaries screening, both local and international productions. The opening night film is The Death And Life Of Otto Bloom, starring Xavier Samuel, and the closing night film is David Mackenzie’s contemporary western Hell… continue reading »
