Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival is back in cinemas around Aotearoa from July – and have announced all the homegrown titles in this year’s programme.
While we wait on the full programme announcement for 2023, this week we’ve been treated to a very a strong lineup of feature films and documentaries playing NZIFF 2023.
Fans of incendiary 90s band King Loser, who released three great albums on Flying Nun, have already gotten excited about an upcoming documentary on the group, by way of a Givealittle campaign to complete the film (also called King Loser) to its best possible form—and now we know that Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore’s warts-n-all doco will premiere at NZIFF. Chronicling the short-lived but unforgettable band’s history, capturing the chaos of their 2016 reunion tour, and celebrating the late Celia Mancini, screenings in select centres will be suitably accompanied by gigs featuring Chris Heazlewood and guests.
The directorial debut of Australasian actor Alice Englert and shot in Aotearoa, Bad Behaviour sees Englert direct, write and act alongside heavyweights Jennifer Connelly and Ben Whishaw. Connelly plays Lucy, a former child actor who seeks enlightenment at a retreat led by spiritual leader Elon (Ben Whishaw)—and also navigates her close yet turbulent relationship with her stunt-performer daughter Dylan (Englert). Fellow Kiwis Ana Scotney, Beulah Koale and Marlon Williams also appear in this film, which premiered at Sundance this year.
Other feature films playing in this year’s programme include Tom Sainsbury suspense thriller Loop Track, Hadyn Butler’s dark comedy Home Kills, and Michael Duignan’s comic cosmic horror The Paragon, and Rebecca Tansley’s Janet Frame-inspired NZ Opera film The Strangest of Angels.
Joining these brand new titles is Gaylene Preston’s beloved WW2-era drama Bread and Roses, first released in 1993 and based upon the life of activist and trade unionist (and later MP) Sonja Davies, returns to the big-screen in a 4K restoration.
This year’s documentaries include Ms. Information, Gwen Isaac’s observational documentary on Siouxsie Wiles; Building Bridges: Bill Youren’s Vision of Peace, John Chrisstoffels’ portrait of a farmer’s lifelong mission to share art and grow cultural understanding; Grant Sheehan: Light, Ghosts and Dreams sees Robin Greenberg trace Sheehan’s creative career; Annie Goldson brings NZ theatre troupe Red Mole to the screen in Red Mole: A Romance; and Tiki Taane in Session with CSO sees the iconic Aotearoa musician perform live with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and special guests.
“We’re proud to have secured such an incredible line-up of homegrown films and it’s an honour to share this world-class line-up with audiences around Aotearoa this winter,” says Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival General Manager Sally Woodfield. “We encourage New Zealanders to experience these beautifully crafted films on the big screen and support local filmmakers.”
NZIFF opens in Auckland on 19 July, followed by Wellington on 27 July, Dunedin on 3 August and Christchurch on 10 August. Visit the festival website for more information.
