There was a lot of hype about this film before screening at the Auckland/ Wellington film festival - it had been hailed by critics as the best NZ film since 'Once Were Warriors' and 'Heavenly Creatures' which meant that it was up for
some heavy slating if it didn't perform to expectations. Upon seeing the film I have to say that I think it is one of the most sensitive and intelligent films to come out of NZ for a long while, and although it's unfair to make comparisons, it's fair to say that it is up there with the best of NZ films, (probably) in the top five. What makes this film unique is that it dares to look beneath the surface of our society and the people who make it up. It dares to take it's time. It dares to follow it's own rules than that of your average mystery/murder mystery. This is not a film for people who get bored easily or don't like to think or participate in the story- telling process - it is for those of us who like to take a plunge into something a little different, challenging (both in the way it's told and what it's about) and unpredictable. In essence this is the sort of film which will establish a strong following but, because it sits outside the flags of comfortable viewing, will be met with hesitation from those who like their films pre-digested and served with a smile.
some heavy slating if it didn't perform to expectations. Upon seeing the film I have to say that I think it is one of the most sensitive and intelligent films to come out of NZ for a long while, and although it's unfair to make comparisons, it's fair to say that it is up there with the best of NZ films, (probably) in the top five. What makes this film unique is that it dares to look beneath the surface of our society and the people who make it up. It dares to take it's time. It dares to follow it's own rules than that of your average mystery/murder mystery. This is not a film for people who get bored easily or don't like to think or participate in the story- telling process - it is for those of us who like to take a plunge into something a little different, challenging (both in the way it's told and what it's about) and unpredictable. In essence this is the sort of film which will establish a strong following but, because it sits outside the flags of comfortable viewing, will be met with hesitation from those who like their films pre-digested and served with a smile.