Following on from its recent acclaimed NZ International Film Festival tour, Utu Redux is having a special-event two-week season in selected cinemas, starting on November 21. We saw it during its festival run, and we can say in full confidence that Redux is a must-see at the cinema.
Utu Redux is the digitally re-mastered 2013 version of Geoff Murphy’s classic 1983 Utu. It has a re-mixed stereo 5:1 soundtrack and the storytelling has been enhanced by the editing of about 10 minutes overall. Murphy says he and editor Michael Horton found “more elegant ways of doing things” second time around. In our recent interview, Murphy went into more detail about Utu‘s creation. He’s a bloody top bloke, too.
The groundbreaking and lasting quality of Geoff Murphy’s work was recently recognised by the Arts Foundation awarding him the Icon Award, making him one of New Zealand’s 20 greatest living artists.
Utu inspired many of the current generation of filmmakers like Mt Zion writer/director Tearepa Kahi, who says, simply, “Utu changed my life,” and can quote from it line-by-line from repeated viewings since his childhood.
Among the many positive reviews Utu Redux received in the NZIFF, was entertainer Mika, who posted on thedailyblog: “Tarantino before Tarantino: Humour amongst the hideousness of war, racism and sexual rebellion are all rampant . . . this Utu is a completely new experience . . . some, having seen the grainy mashed-up version on TV, might feel a tad apprehensive about going to see it again. Don’t be. You will be amazed at how ahead of its time it was, and how relevant it is today”.
Sunday Star Times reviewer Sarah Watt said, “this vibrantly restored masterpiece is absolutely worth (re)visiting…”
In the Listener, Helene Wong noted the technical details: “The improved quality also highlights the close-range work. This was the first local production to use the Steadicam, and there’s fluidity, immersion and an urgent restlessness to the bush action sequences – plus a lively mobility when dodging about among the director’s trademark explosions… enough Maori and Murphy humour to get locals chuckling.”
The drama of Utu Redux made blogger Hugh Lily’s Festival: “..the terrific restoration of Utu, the closing speech of which was the most moving two minutes I experienced all festival.”
