Lee Tamahori’s historical action epic The Convert has been acquired for distribution in multiple territories, including Magnolia Pictures in North America for a July 12 release date.
The film world premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, and stars Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie and Lawrence Makoare.
UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment has also closed deals with Germany’s Capelight Pictures, Spain’s Divisa Red, WW for Benelux, Front Row Entertainment in the Middle East, Monolith Films for Poland, Arna Media for Cis and the Baltic States, Blitz for Ex-Yugoslavia, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, The Film Group for Greece and Cyprus,...
The film world premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, and stars Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie and Lawrence Makoare.
UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment has also closed deals with Germany’s Capelight Pictures, Spain’s Divisa Red, WW for Benelux, Front Row Entertainment in the Middle East, Monolith Films for Poland, Arna Media for Cis and the Baltic States, Blitz for Ex-Yugoslavia, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, The Film Group for Greece and Cyprus,...
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Dark Winds and Blood Quantum actor Kiowa Gordon and Sera-Lys McArthur (Café Daughter, Outlander) have joined the cast of Many Wounds, a contemporary re-imagining of Lee Tamahori’s ground-breaking 1994 Maori film Once Were Warriors, set among indigenous communities in Canada.
Skye Pelletier (Prey) stars in Many Wounds as Mashka, a young teenager on the cusp of being swallowed up by a colonial system meant to further the goals of assimilation who becomes a warrior to protect his family.
Ojibway filmmaker Jeremy Torrie, who wrote and is directing Many Wounds, and producing the film together with Métis producer Tanya Brunel, said he drew on his own personal, painful experiences growing up indigenous in Winnipeg for the script.
“Our intention with this film is to reveal some uncomfortable truths about the effects of generations of forced assimilation and genocide by the Canadian government toward our peoples for a society largely unaware of how deep the wounds go,...
Skye Pelletier (Prey) stars in Many Wounds as Mashka, a young teenager on the cusp of being swallowed up by a colonial system meant to further the goals of assimilation who becomes a warrior to protect his family.
Ojibway filmmaker Jeremy Torrie, who wrote and is directing Many Wounds, and producing the film together with Métis producer Tanya Brunel, said he drew on his own personal, painful experiences growing up indigenous in Winnipeg for the script.
“Our intention with this film is to reveal some uncomfortable truths about the effects of generations of forced assimilation and genocide by the Canadian government toward our peoples for a society largely unaware of how deep the wounds go,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Guy Pearce and Te Kohe Tuhaka lead the cast of “The Convert,” an epic New Zealand-set action drama film being directed by Lee Tamahori. Mister Smith Entertainment is representing sales rights and will launch the project at the Cannes film market.
The story sees Pearce portray a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes. The script was written by Shane Danielsen (“Errors of the Human Body”) and Tamahori, after originating from a screen story by Michael Bennet (“Matariki”).
The producers on the film are Robin Scholes, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Andrew Mason and Troy Lum.
“The Convert” is an official New Zealand Australia co-production, between Auckland based Jump Film & Television and Sydney based Brouhaha Entertainment. Film...
The story sees Pearce portray a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes. The script was written by Shane Danielsen (“Errors of the Human Body”) and Tamahori, after originating from a screen story by Michael Bennet (“Matariki”).
The producers on the film are Robin Scholes, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Andrew Mason and Troy Lum.
“The Convert” is an official New Zealand Australia co-production, between Auckland based Jump Film & Television and Sydney based Brouhaha Entertainment. Film...
- 5/6/2022
- by Patrick Frater and K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Guy Pearce is to play the lead in epic action feature The Convert from Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori.
Mister Smith Entertainment will launch global sales at Cannes later this month on the feature, which is set in early 19th century New Zealand and kicks off principal photography in September.
The King’s Speech and Mare of Easttown star Pearce will play Thomas Munro, a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Māori tribes.
Tamahori said it has been “20 years since Guy Pearce and I talked about working together.”
He added: “Guy is a brilliant actor and to have him onboard will allow me to sleep easy at night, for I know he will inhabit the...
Mister Smith Entertainment will launch global sales at Cannes later this month on the feature, which is set in early 19th century New Zealand and kicks off principal photography in September.
The King’s Speech and Mare of Easttown star Pearce will play Thomas Munro, a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Māori tribes.
Tamahori said it has been “20 years since Guy Pearce and I talked about working together.”
He added: “Guy is a brilliant actor and to have him onboard will allow me to sleep easy at night, for I know he will inhabit the...
- 5/6/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The action feature is set in 1830s New Zealand.
Guy Pearce has signed to star in Lee Tamahori’s The Convert which UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment will introduce to international buyers at Cannes this month.
The action feature will shoot later this year.
It is co-produced by Auckland-based Jump Film & Television and Australia’s Brouhaha Entertainment. It follows a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand where his violent past is drawn into question and his faith is put to the test when he’s caught in the middle of a war between Māori tribes.
Guy Pearce has signed to star in Lee Tamahori’s The Convert which UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment will introduce to international buyers at Cannes this month.
The action feature will shoot later this year.
It is co-produced by Auckland-based Jump Film & Television and Australia’s Brouhaha Entertainment. It follows a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand where his violent past is drawn into question and his faith is put to the test when he’s caught in the middle of a war between Māori tribes.
- 5/6/2022
- by Melissa Kasule
- ScreenDaily
Hopscotch Features’ Troy Lum and Andrew Mason have joined forces with UK producer Gabrielle Tana to form a new production house, Brouhaha Entertainment.
The company combines their respective slates, with upcoming projects including Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, starring Michelle Williams; Kate Dennis’ All That I Am, based on the novel by Anna Funder; Lee Tamahori’s The Convert; Richard E. Grant’s Majesty and Patrick Dickinson’s Cottontail.
To be based across Sydney and London, the company has received investment via the Calculus Creative Content Eis Fund, which was launched in June 2019 in association with the British Film Institute (BFI).
The fund aims to support the growth of dynamic and ambitious UK companies, and has also backed the likes of Wonderhood Studios, Raindog Films, Maze Theory and Maven Screen Media.
Tana is the producer of the Oscar-nominated Philomena, The Invisible Woman and most recently, Netflix’s The Dig, from Australian director Simon Stone.
The company combines their respective slates, with upcoming projects including Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, starring Michelle Williams; Kate Dennis’ All That I Am, based on the novel by Anna Funder; Lee Tamahori’s The Convert; Richard E. Grant’s Majesty and Patrick Dickinson’s Cottontail.
To be based across Sydney and London, the company has received investment via the Calculus Creative Content Eis Fund, which was launched in June 2019 in association with the British Film Institute (BFI).
The fund aims to support the growth of dynamic and ambitious UK companies, and has also backed the likes of Wonderhood Studios, Raindog Films, Maze Theory and Maven Screen Media.
Tana is the producer of the Oscar-nominated Philomena, The Invisible Woman and most recently, Netflix’s The Dig, from Australian director Simon Stone.
- 7/21/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Nz On Air and the New Zealand Film Commission are funding the development of 10 drama series ideas with international and domestic appeal.
The initiative, Raupapa Whakaari Drama to the World, will support each writer/producer team to develop high-end scripted series with an initial grant of Nz$10,000.
Each team will attend a series drama lab held in conjunction with Script to Screen, where international advisers will give feedback on story and market to assist the teams to further develop their concepts and strengthen appeal to the international marketplace.
Following the lab and submission of the re-worked projects, four teams will be selected to receive additional development funding of up to Nz$80,000.
Nzfc CEO Annabelle Sheehan said: “There really has never been a better time to tell stories than now, thanks to the global expansion of mega platforms such as Netflix, Amazon and now Disney with Disney+ and its takeover of Hulu this week.
The initiative, Raupapa Whakaari Drama to the World, will support each writer/producer team to develop high-end scripted series with an initial grant of Nz$10,000.
Each team will attend a series drama lab held in conjunction with Script to Screen, where international advisers will give feedback on story and market to assist the teams to further develop their concepts and strengthen appeal to the international marketplace.
Following the lab and submission of the re-worked projects, four teams will be selected to receive additional development funding of up to Nz$80,000.
Nzfc CEO Annabelle Sheehan said: “There really has never been a better time to tell stories than now, thanks to the global expansion of mega platforms such as Netflix, Amazon and now Disney with Disney+ and its takeover of Hulu this week.
- 5/16/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r): Josh Thomson, Chai Hansen, Luciane Buchanan and Emilie Cocquerel (Photo: Geoffrey Short)..
See Saw Films and Jump Film & TV have kicked off production on.The Legend of Monkey for ABC, Tvnz and Netflix..
To be shot on location around Auckland, the 10x30. children.s series is an adaptation of the 16th century Chinese fable Journey to the West. It.follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a journey to bring an end to a demonic reign..
The Legend of Monkey will star Chai Hansen (Mako Mermaids, The 100) with Luciane Buchanan (Filthy Rich, Blue Rose), Josh Thomson (Terry Teo, 7 Days, The Project) and Emilie Cocquerel (Lion, An Accidential Soldier)..
Head writer is Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Spirited), who will work alongside Craig Irvin (Nowhere Boys) and Samantha Strauss (Dance Academy)..
The lead director is Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries), with Irvin to direct additional eps.
See Saw Films and Jump Film & TV have kicked off production on.The Legend of Monkey for ABC, Tvnz and Netflix..
To be shot on location around Auckland, the 10x30. children.s series is an adaptation of the 16th century Chinese fable Journey to the West. It.follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a journey to bring an end to a demonic reign..
The Legend of Monkey will star Chai Hansen (Mako Mermaids, The 100) with Luciane Buchanan (Filthy Rich, Blue Rose), Josh Thomson (Terry Teo, 7 Days, The Project) and Emilie Cocquerel (Lion, An Accidential Soldier)..
Head writer is Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Spirited), who will work alongside Craig Irvin (Nowhere Boys) and Samantha Strauss (Dance Academy)..
The lead director is Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries), with Irvin to direct additional eps.
- 4/20/2017
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Television show to air on ABC (Australia), Tvnz, Netflix in 2018.
Production is underway in New Zealand on live-action television series The Legend Of Monkey that See-Saw Films is producing with Jump Film & TV.
The series is an official New Zealand-Australian co-production with principal investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Nsw, Fulcrum Media Finance and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.
The series from head writer Jacquelin Perske, along with writers Craig Irvin and Samantha Strauss, is filming on location in and around Auckland, New Zealand, and will premiere on ABC (Australia), Tvnz and Netflix in 2018.
Gerard Johnstone is the lead director, with Craig Irvin directing additional episodes on the show, inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable Journey To The West.
The 10-part half-hour series follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance...
Production is underway in New Zealand on live-action television series The Legend Of Monkey that See-Saw Films is producing with Jump Film & TV.
The series is an official New Zealand-Australian co-production with principal investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Nsw, Fulcrum Media Finance and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.
The series from head writer Jacquelin Perske, along with writers Craig Irvin and Samantha Strauss, is filming on location in and around Auckland, New Zealand, and will premiere on ABC (Australia), Tvnz and Netflix in 2018.
Gerard Johnstone is the lead director, with Craig Irvin directing additional episodes on the show, inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable Journey To The West.
The 10-part half-hour series follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance...
- 4/19/2017
- ScreenDaily
Dramas don't come more powerful than this one -- a Maori family might escape their slum existence if it weren't for the father, an emotionally volatile monster whose brutality knows no limits. The show took in awards everywhere -- it's a stunningly affecting tragedy not completely without hope. Once Were Warriors Blu-ray Film Movement Classics 1994 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 102 min. / Street Date September 6, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile, Rachael Morris Jr., Joseph Kairau, Cliff Curtis, Pete Smith. Cinematography Stuart Dryburgh Film Editor Michael Horton Original Music Murray Grindlay, Murray McNabb Written by Riwa Brown from the novel by Alan Duff Produced by Robin Scholes Directed by Lee Tamahori
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In 1996 or so, working at MGM, I learned about a movie coming out with a definite neo-noir theme -- Mulholland Falls. Then I was told that its director was a New Zealander whose...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In 1996 or so, working at MGM, I learned about a movie coming out with a definite neo-noir theme -- Mulholland Falls. Then I was told that its director was a New Zealander whose...
- 9/9/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
New films from Lee Tamahori and Anne Zohra Berrached also added.
The Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 11-21) has completed the line-up of its Competiton programme, of which 18 out of 23 will vye for the Golden and Silver Bears. A total of 19 titles of the films are world premieres.
Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq will receive its international premiere as part of the strand, but will play out of competition.
The film stars Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris and Wesley Snipes, and is a modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago.
Germany’s Anne Zohra Berrached, who premiered Two Mothers at the Berlinale’s Perspektive Deutsches Kino in 2013, returns with 24 Weeks (24 Wochen). The film centres on the dilemma faced by a woman who is already six months pregnant when she learns that her unborn child will have Down‘s syndrome as well as a serious heart defect...
The Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 11-21) has completed the line-up of its Competiton programme, of which 18 out of 23 will vye for the Golden and Silver Bears. A total of 19 titles of the films are world premieres.
Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq will receive its international premiere as part of the strand, but will play out of competition.
The film stars Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris and Wesley Snipes, and is a modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago.
Germany’s Anne Zohra Berrached, who premiered Two Mothers at the Berlinale’s Perspektive Deutsches Kino in 2013, returns with 24 Weeks (24 Wochen). The film centres on the dilemma faced by a woman who is already six months pregnant when she learns that her unborn child will have Down‘s syndrome as well as a serious heart defect...
- 1/20/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Company will also launch new films from Lee Tamahori, Bouli Lanners and Sylvie Verheyde at Afm.Wild Bunch has boarded Cuban director Alejandro Brugues’s Antonio Banderas-starring New Faith about an American couple whose marriage-saving trip to Cuba lands them in a web of lies, violence, sexual intrigue and deadly double-crossings. “In reality both partners have separate hidden agendas, the dream trip quickly degenerates and the film tips into a genre movie in the vein No Country for Old Men and Blood Simple,” said Wild Bunch co-head Vincent Maraval. Banderas has signed to play a shady American expat fixer who crosses the couple’s path. Casting of the couple is expected to be announced during the Afm this week. It is a second feature for Brugues, whose debut political zombie thriller Juan of the Dead put him on the map as a talent to watch and won several including Spain’s Goya Award for Best...
- 11/2/2015
- ScreenDaily
The New Zealand Film Commission has named the recipients of its one-off business development scheme Boost, with total funding of more than $NZ450,000.
The scheme is designed to accelerate the slates of active producers and to enable screen businesses to move films more quickly into production.
Applicants were invited to apply for $NZ50,000 - $NZ130,000 per business. At least 50 per cent of the money must be allocated to third party development costs and the commission expects the entire amount to be spent within 12-18 months.
The recipients are Jump Film and Television, Centron Pictures, Pop Film, Four Knights Film and Firefly Films.
Making the announcement at the Big Screen Symposium conference, Nzfc CEO Dave Gibson, said that screen companies in New Zealand are growing in number and scale and he expects the five Boost companies will contribute to this growth.
Founded by Robin Scholes, Jump Pictures is completing Lee Tamahori...
The scheme is designed to accelerate the slates of active producers and to enable screen businesses to move films more quickly into production.
Applicants were invited to apply for $NZ50,000 - $NZ130,000 per business. At least 50 per cent of the money must be allocated to third party development costs and the commission expects the entire amount to be spent within 12-18 months.
The recipients are Jump Film and Television, Centron Pictures, Pop Film, Four Knights Film and Firefly Films.
Making the announcement at the Big Screen Symposium conference, Nzfc CEO Dave Gibson, said that screen companies in New Zealand are growing in number and scale and he expects the five Boost companies will contribute to this growth.
Founded by Robin Scholes, Jump Pictures is completing Lee Tamahori...
- 10/11/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Escapade Media has secured world rights, excluding New Zealand, to Jump Films. WW1 TV drama When We Go To War.
Aired on Tvnz's TV One earlier this year, the 6-hour series was scripted by Gavin Strawhan, directed by Peter Burger and produced by Robin Scholes (Once Were Warriors, Mr. Pip, Broken English).
The plot follows the experiences of New Zealand soldiers in the trenches, the nurses caring for the wounded in Egypt and. the impact of the war on the families back home over nine months of the Gallipoli campaign..
The story centres around a powerful and conflicted love story between Bea Smith (Esther Stephens), a woman ahead of her time who is nursing in Egypt alongside her lover William (Tom O'Sullivan), a dedicated doctor.
It also explores the effect the battlefield has on Charles Smith (Ido Drent), a lawyer turned officer, his brother Harry (Milo Cawthorne),. the family's black sheep,...
Aired on Tvnz's TV One earlier this year, the 6-hour series was scripted by Gavin Strawhan, directed by Peter Burger and produced by Robin Scholes (Once Were Warriors, Mr. Pip, Broken English).
The plot follows the experiences of New Zealand soldiers in the trenches, the nurses caring for the wounded in Egypt and. the impact of the war on the families back home over nine months of the Gallipoli campaign..
The story centres around a powerful and conflicted love story between Bea Smith (Esther Stephens), a woman ahead of her time who is nursing in Egypt alongside her lover William (Tom O'Sullivan), a dedicated doctor.
It also explores the effect the battlefield has on Charles Smith (Ido Drent), a lawyer turned officer, his brother Harry (Milo Cawthorne),. the family's black sheep,...
- 8/18/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Roger Donaldson is attached to direct two projects, a feature doc and a feature, inspired by the lives of two famous Kiwis.
McLaren will profile Bruce McLaren, the Formula One champion who won the Us Grand Prix when he was 23, the youngest ever to do so.
The Guinea Pig Club will chronicle the story of renegade plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe, who revolutionised the treatment of burns victims during WW2.
The New Zealand Film Commission has offered conditional investment to both projects. Donaldson has already shot some footage for McLaren, using Nzfc development funds.
The Nzfc is also co-funding The Patriarch, just the second Kiwi feature from director Lee Tamahori, who broke through with Once Were Warriors in 1994.
Due to shoot on March 24, the drama is scripted by John Collee, based on Whale Rider author Witi Ihimaera's novel Bulibasha. The protagonist is the youngest son of a huge extended Maori family of shearers,...
McLaren will profile Bruce McLaren, the Formula One champion who won the Us Grand Prix when he was 23, the youngest ever to do so.
The Guinea Pig Club will chronicle the story of renegade plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe, who revolutionised the treatment of burns victims during WW2.
The New Zealand Film Commission has offered conditional investment to both projects. Donaldson has already shot some footage for McLaren, using Nzfc development funds.
The Nzfc is also co-funding The Patriarch, just the second Kiwi feature from director Lee Tamahori, who broke through with Once Were Warriors in 1994.
Due to shoot on March 24, the drama is scripted by John Collee, based on Whale Rider author Witi Ihimaera's novel Bulibasha. The protagonist is the youngest son of a huge extended Maori family of shearers,...
- 2/3/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
New Zealanders have a chance to invest in Lee Tamahori's second New Zealand film. The last 5% of the funding for "The Patriarch" ($500,000) is being sought via the country's first equity crowdfunding platform, Snowball Effect, and investors will be rewarded with a stake in the film's profits.
Producer Robin Scholes, who has produced New Zealand feature films like "Once Were Warriors", “Rain" and most recently “ Mr. Pip", says, “This is a great opportunity for film lovers and genuine investors alike to play a vital part in getting an exceptional film made, while also having the ability to gain a return for investment through this new form of crowd funding.”
Lee Tamahori's first film, "Once Were Warriors", was a huge cultural, critical and financial success. It returned more than $6.5 million to its kiwi investors and catapulted the director into an international film career. Tamahori went on to make huge Hollywood films like James Bond's "Die Another Day", "Along Came a Spider" starring Morgan Freeman and "The Edge" starring Antony Hopkins.
Twenty years after the release of "Once Were Warriors", Lee Tamahori wants to come back to New Zealand and make another film with the same team, including producer Robin Scholes and actor Temuera Morrison.
Shaun Edlin, head of Snowball Effect’s company pipeline, says “We are really excited that Robin and the team behind 'The Patriarch' want to offer this film investment opportunity to New Zealanders through Snowball Effect. It’s our chance to show the world how innovative equity crowdfunding can be. If Kiwis get behind this offer, it will demonstrate that equity crowdfunding can be utilized to fund commercially viable creative projects and one-off events”.
"The Patriarch" is based on Witi Ihimaera's novel, Bulibasha. It is a classic story of the struggle of family dynamics and the conflict of generations for a rural East Coast Maori family in 1950s New Zealand. Ihimaera has said that this is Tamahori's " return home" film based on one of his best-loved novels Bulibasha. Witi says, “Lee's talent as a film maker combined with John Collee's strong script, will deliver a film with universal appeal."
For Tamahori the story is a return to the sights and scenes of his childhood. He says he has a personal empathy and understanding of the era, the place and the people at the heart of Ihimaera's story. “I badly want to put this environment and its characters on the big screen. They deserve no less."
“I haven't seen a script with this much power, a story so strong since 'Once Were Warriors',” says Temuera Morrison. “Our best stories and our best work comes from our own earth and our own country and we have a story to do this with The Patriarch.”
Producer Robin Scholes explains, “The people who put money forward for this final $500,000 will be part of an elite tier of investors. They will be first priority to recoup their capital along with a 20% premium from net income. Other rewards for investors include being named in the film credits, invitations to the set during filming and invitations to the film's premier.
The goal is to raise $500,000 by beginning of October so that Tamahori can return to New Zealand to begin work on "The Patriarch" in December.
“It's time for him to come home, make one of our real stories and work with some real actors as well – enough of those Hollywood ones!” says Morrison.
Snowball Effect made headlines in August by launching the first ever equity crowdfunding offer in New Zealand, where Renaissance Brewing's $700,000 funding target was fully subscribed in less than 2 weeks from 287 investors.
For more information visit Here...
Producer Robin Scholes, who has produced New Zealand feature films like "Once Were Warriors", “Rain" and most recently “ Mr. Pip", says, “This is a great opportunity for film lovers and genuine investors alike to play a vital part in getting an exceptional film made, while also having the ability to gain a return for investment through this new form of crowd funding.”
Lee Tamahori's first film, "Once Were Warriors", was a huge cultural, critical and financial success. It returned more than $6.5 million to its kiwi investors and catapulted the director into an international film career. Tamahori went on to make huge Hollywood films like James Bond's "Die Another Day", "Along Came a Spider" starring Morgan Freeman and "The Edge" starring Antony Hopkins.
Twenty years after the release of "Once Were Warriors", Lee Tamahori wants to come back to New Zealand and make another film with the same team, including producer Robin Scholes and actor Temuera Morrison.
Shaun Edlin, head of Snowball Effect’s company pipeline, says “We are really excited that Robin and the team behind 'The Patriarch' want to offer this film investment opportunity to New Zealanders through Snowball Effect. It’s our chance to show the world how innovative equity crowdfunding can be. If Kiwis get behind this offer, it will demonstrate that equity crowdfunding can be utilized to fund commercially viable creative projects and one-off events”.
"The Patriarch" is based on Witi Ihimaera's novel, Bulibasha. It is a classic story of the struggle of family dynamics and the conflict of generations for a rural East Coast Maori family in 1950s New Zealand. Ihimaera has said that this is Tamahori's " return home" film based on one of his best-loved novels Bulibasha. Witi says, “Lee's talent as a film maker combined with John Collee's strong script, will deliver a film with universal appeal."
For Tamahori the story is a return to the sights and scenes of his childhood. He says he has a personal empathy and understanding of the era, the place and the people at the heart of Ihimaera's story. “I badly want to put this environment and its characters on the big screen. They deserve no less."
“I haven't seen a script with this much power, a story so strong since 'Once Were Warriors',” says Temuera Morrison. “Our best stories and our best work comes from our own earth and our own country and we have a story to do this with The Patriarch.”
Producer Robin Scholes explains, “The people who put money forward for this final $500,000 will be part of an elite tier of investors. They will be first priority to recoup their capital along with a 20% premium from net income. Other rewards for investors include being named in the film credits, invitations to the set during filming and invitations to the film's premier.
The goal is to raise $500,000 by beginning of October so that Tamahori can return to New Zealand to begin work on "The Patriarch" in December.
“It's time for him to come home, make one of our real stories and work with some real actors as well – enough of those Hollywood ones!” says Morrison.
Snowball Effect made headlines in August by launching the first ever equity crowdfunding offer in New Zealand, where Renaissance Brewing's $700,000 funding target was fully subscribed in less than 2 weeks from 287 investors.
For more information visit Here...
- 9/23/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Writer/director Christina Andreef has joined the New Zealand Film Commission as development executive.
In other appointments at the Nzfc, Marc Ashton takes the newly created role of production executive and Diana Byrne has joined as talent development and relationships co-ordinator.
Andreef grew up in Whakatane and studied film in Ireland and Sydney, where she lived for 30 years. Her director training began when she worked for Jane Campion for five years, starting with Sweetie through to The Piano.
She wrote and directed three shorts, Excursion To The Bridge of Friendship, The Gap and Shooting The Breeze, before making her feature debut in 1999 on Soft Fruit, which screened in Critics. Week in Cannes.
She was a partner in production company Toi-Toi Films for 16 years and taught screenwriting and direction at the Sydney Film School, Sydney University and Uts. Ashton began his film career in the early 1990s at Hoyts Corp, involved...
In other appointments at the Nzfc, Marc Ashton takes the newly created role of production executive and Diana Byrne has joined as talent development and relationships co-ordinator.
Andreef grew up in Whakatane and studied film in Ireland and Sydney, where she lived for 30 years. Her director training began when she worked for Jane Campion for five years, starting with Sweetie through to The Piano.
She wrote and directed three shorts, Excursion To The Bridge of Friendship, The Gap and Shooting The Breeze, before making her feature debut in 1999 on Soft Fruit, which screened in Critics. Week in Cannes.
She was a partner in production company Toi-Toi Films for 16 years and taught screenwriting and direction at the Sydney Film School, Sydney University and Uts. Ashton began his film career in the early 1990s at Hoyts Corp, involved...
- 8/24/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Are Australian audiences getting soft and avoiding darker and more confronting, challenging material?
That.s the theory of one Australian distributor as he surveyed last weekend.s openings of The Counselor, Insidious: Chapter 2, Mr Pip and Fruitvale Station.
Perhaps giving weight to his theory, Aussie comedy Backyard Ashes had a boisterous opening at just four screens in regional areas.
Ridley Scott.s The Counselor opened with $1.2 million which, pro-rata, is rather better than its lousy $US7.8 million debut in the Us. Some critics admired the Cormac McCarthy-scripted thriller about a respected lawyer.s disastrous involvement with a Mexican drug deal, starring Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz.
But maybe audiences were deterred by the reviews which spoke of the sordid setting, dark-hearted individuals behaving badly, bloodshed and leaden dialogue.
James Wan.s haunted house sequel again featuring Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson took $527,000 on 118 locations.
That.s the theory of one Australian distributor as he surveyed last weekend.s openings of The Counselor, Insidious: Chapter 2, Mr Pip and Fruitvale Station.
Perhaps giving weight to his theory, Aussie comedy Backyard Ashes had a boisterous opening at just four screens in regional areas.
Ridley Scott.s The Counselor opened with $1.2 million which, pro-rata, is rather better than its lousy $US7.8 million debut in the Us. Some critics admired the Cormac McCarthy-scripted thriller about a respected lawyer.s disastrous involvement with a Mexican drug deal, starring Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz.
But maybe audiences were deterred by the reviews which spoke of the sordid setting, dark-hearted individuals behaving badly, bloodshed and leaden dialogue.
James Wan.s haunted house sequel again featuring Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson took $527,000 on 118 locations.
- 11/11/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
When you’re rumoured to be the best paid actor in television (now that Charlie Sheen is devoted to spreading the gospel of “win” across America) and have become an unlikely sex symbol in your late forties, employing this relatively new-found superstardom on the big-screen can be more than a little tricky. Although onetime Stephen Fry sidekick Hugh Laurie had a movie career prior to the phenomenon that was his portrayal of a misanthropic medic (including the likes of Stuart Little and Maybe Baby), he failed to bring the revelatory small screen gravitas he has acquired since he became Gregory House to the cinema. Laurie’s one major live-action role since his trans-Atlantic success was David Ayer’s perfectly adequate, but rather unloved, Street Kings.
Now the former presidents of the Footlights is set to try again in an adaptation of Commonwealth Writer’s Prize winning novel Mr Pip by New Zealander Lloyd Jones.
Now the former presidents of the Footlights is set to try again in an adaptation of Commonwealth Writer’s Prize winning novel Mr Pip by New Zealander Lloyd Jones.
- 4/15/2011
- by Ben Szwediuk
- Obsessed with Film
Hugh Laurie (House) has been cast in an adaptation of the best-selling New Zealand author Lloyd Jones novel Mr. Pip. Andrew Adamson, Shrek 2 and Chronicles of Narnia, has written the screenplay and will direct and produce the film.
Laurie will play Mr. Watts, the only white man on a foreign island who volunteers to teach school as the natives defend their land from invaders. He reads the students Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Great Expectations, linking especially with a 13-year old girl, Matilda.
Lloyd Jones’ 2006 book, Mr. Pip was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Adamson, who first optioned the film rights, said:
I read Mr. Pip on a transatlantic flight and, by the time of landing, knew I would make this film. It’s a testament to Lloyd’s wonderful novel that it has captured the hearts of Hugh, Robin, Leslie and an incredible group of like minded collaborators.
Laurie will play Mr. Watts, the only white man on a foreign island who volunteers to teach school as the natives defend their land from invaders. He reads the students Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Great Expectations, linking especially with a 13-year old girl, Matilda.
Lloyd Jones’ 2006 book, Mr. Pip was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Adamson, who first optioned the film rights, said:
I read Mr. Pip on a transatlantic flight and, by the time of landing, knew I would make this film. It’s a testament to Lloyd’s wonderful novel that it has captured the hearts of Hugh, Robin, Leslie and an incredible group of like minded collaborators.
- 4/14/2011
- by Nikola Mraovic
- Filmofilia
Hugh Laurie ("House," "Blackadder") is set to star and Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe") is attached to direct an adaptation of Lloyd Jones's novel "Mister Pip" for Eyeworks New Zealand, Agio Capital, Olympus Pictures and Focus Features International reports Deadline.
Laurie will play Mr. Watts, the last white man left on the war-torn island of Bougainville. Asked to open a school there, he reads the kids his favorite novel, Great Expectations. He bonds with the children over the book, which sheds some perspective on their own difficult lives.
Adamson, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech and Robin Scholes will produce. Adamson adapted the script and shooting will begin in New Zealand next month.
Laurie will play Mr. Watts, the last white man left on the war-torn island of Bougainville. Asked to open a school there, he reads the kids his favorite novel, Great Expectations. He bonds with the children over the book, which sheds some perspective on their own difficult lives.
Adamson, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech and Robin Scholes will produce. Adamson adapted the script and shooting will begin in New Zealand next month.
- 4/14/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Andrew Adamson is attached to direct House star Hugh Laurie in Mister Pip, an adaptation of the Lloyd Jones novel that Adamson has adapted for the screen. Shooting will begin in New Zealand next month, and Focus Features International has acquired international rights. Laurie will play Mr. Watts, the last white man left on the war-torn island of Bougainville. Asked to open a school there, he reads the kids his favorite novel, Great Expectations. He bonds with the children over the book, which sheds some perspective on their own difficult lives. Adamson will produce with Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech and Robin Scholes. Eyeworks New Zealand and Agio Capital are co-financing with Olympus Pictures, and the New Zealand Film Commission, Nz on Air and TV3 are also investors. UTA Independent Film Group put together the pieces. Adamson, who co-directed the first two installments of Shrek and directed the first two The Chronicles of Narnia films,...
- 4/13/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures has inked a deal for North American rights to Peter Burger's "The Tattooist", a supernatural thriller starring Jason Behr.
Burger and producer Robin Scholes enticed Tapert and Raimi to visit New Zealand to talk to Burger about the final cut and to help guide the final stages of postproduction, the producer said Tuesday.
"We started our careers independently producing our horror films and understand the challenges of these filmmakers," Tapert said.
For his part, Scholes said he was pleased to have "specialists in horror and thriller films" managing the U.S outing for the movie via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The North American deal was negotiated with Ghost House by Kathleen Drumm and James Thompson of NZ Film.
The movie will unspool at this week at the American Film Market and centers on Samoan spiritual beliefs about a U.S. tattoo artist who unwittingly unleashes a powerful and angry spirit with one of his designs.
Burger and producer Robin Scholes enticed Tapert and Raimi to visit New Zealand to talk to Burger about the final cut and to help guide the final stages of postproduction, the producer said Tuesday.
"We started our careers independently producing our horror films and understand the challenges of these filmmakers," Tapert said.
For his part, Scholes said he was pleased to have "specialists in horror and thriller films" managing the U.S outing for the movie via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The North American deal was negotiated with Ghost House by Kathleen Drumm and James Thompson of NZ Film.
The movie will unspool at this week at the American Film Market and centers on Samoan spiritual beliefs about a U.S. tattoo artist who unwittingly unleashes a powerful and angry spirit with one of his designs.
- 10/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
More news from the Pusan fest
Film Auckland president Pete Rive notes that the 12 hours it takes to fly to Seoul or Beijing is the same time it takes to get to Los Angeles, a fact he likes to trot out as he pushes for more co-productions between Asia and New Zealand.
Also looking to East Asia for growth, Australia last month signed co-production treaties with China and Singapore and can boast that projects such as Roger Spottiswoode's "The Children of Huang Shi", are well under way.
Both Aussie and Kiwi producers are staking a claim in Asia this week at the 12th Pusan International Film Festival.
On her way to a host a reception on the second day of the Asian Film Market here, Jane Coombs, New Zealand's ambassador to South Korea, said her country has a lot to offer Asia, "and particularly Korea in respect of film."
"New Zealand is becoming increasingly well known for our creativity and talent and scenery, and we are very excited to be here at the Busan Film Festival, the best place in Asia for our filmmakers to create opportunities," Coombs said, adding that the event's networking was sure to build on an Audio Visual Cooperation agreement signed by both governments at Pusan in 2005.
A few New Zealand films in the Pusan market could be the start of a trend. Seoul-based Film Alchemy CEO, producer Namjin Lee formed a joint venture called Horrorholicks two years ago with Robin Scholes of Eyeworks Touchdown, a merger between European and New Zealand companies.
The joint venture now has three projects under way, including "Soul Mate" -- the tale of murder and ghosts centered on an Asian girl in New Zealand. Set to start filming in February for $3.5 million, the film has a mix of New Zealand government money and Korean private financing.
Film Auckland president Pete Rive notes that the 12 hours it takes to fly to Seoul or Beijing is the same time it takes to get to Los Angeles, a fact he likes to trot out as he pushes for more co-productions between Asia and New Zealand.
Also looking to East Asia for growth, Australia last month signed co-production treaties with China and Singapore and can boast that projects such as Roger Spottiswoode's "The Children of Huang Shi", are well under way.
Both Aussie and Kiwi producers are staking a claim in Asia this week at the 12th Pusan International Film Festival.
On her way to a host a reception on the second day of the Asian Film Market here, Jane Coombs, New Zealand's ambassador to South Korea, said her country has a lot to offer Asia, "and particularly Korea in respect of film."
"New Zealand is becoming increasingly well known for our creativity and talent and scenery, and we are very excited to be here at the Busan Film Festival, the best place in Asia for our filmmakers to create opportunities," Coombs said, adding that the event's networking was sure to build on an Audio Visual Cooperation agreement signed by both governments at Pusan in 2005.
A few New Zealand films in the Pusan market could be the start of a trend. Seoul-based Film Alchemy CEO, producer Namjin Lee formed a joint venture called Horrorholicks two years ago with Robin Scholes of Eyeworks Touchdown, a merger between European and New Zealand companies.
The joint venture now has three projects under way, including "Soul Mate" -- the tale of murder and ghosts centered on an Asian girl in New Zealand. Set to start filming in February for $3.5 million, the film has a mix of New Zealand government money and Korean private financing.
- 10/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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