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
It was a joke that kickstarted Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne’s film career and, as she freely admits, not a good one.
After a casting call went out around schools in her region of New Zealand for Taika Waititi’s beloved comedy-drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople, her parents forced her to audition. “They made me do it — I didn’t even want to do it,” she says. 15 at the time, she was asked to sing a song and tell a joke. So in the ‘Marae’ — the traditional Maori meeting house (Ngatai-Melbourne is Maori, of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent) — they recorded a video of her singing and telling her grandfather’s favourite one-liner.
“Ok, I’m just gonna say it,” she says, speaking to THR from Auckland. “What’s the difference between a bird and a fly? A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.”
Poor joke though it may have been,...
After a casting call went out around schools in her region of New Zealand for Taika Waititi’s beloved comedy-drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople, her parents forced her to audition. “They made me do it — I didn’t even want to do it,” she says. 15 at the time, she was asked to sing a song and tell a joke. So in the ‘Marae’ — the traditional Maori meeting house (Ngatai-Melbourne is Maori, of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent) — they recorded a video of her singing and telling her grandfather’s favourite one-liner.
“Ok, I’m just gonna say it,” she says, speaking to THR from Auckland. “What’s the difference between a bird and a fly? A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.”
Poor joke though it may have been,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film comprises eight shorts about resilience and survival.
The world premiere of anthology film We Are Still Here will open the 69th Sydney Film Festival on June 8. It comprises eight stories by and about First Nations people.
The Australian-New Zealand co-production includes the work of 10 directors: Australians Beck Cole, Danielle MacLean, Tracey Rigney and Dena Curtis; and New Zealanders Tim Worrall, Richard Curtis, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Chantelle Burgoyn and Mario Gaoa.
The many First Nations actors involved include Clarence Ryan, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Leonie Whyman and Calvin Tuteao.
No international sales agent is yet attached to the film, which is...
The world premiere of anthology film We Are Still Here will open the 69th Sydney Film Festival on June 8. It comprises eight stories by and about First Nations people.
The Australian-New Zealand co-production includes the work of 10 directors: Australians Beck Cole, Danielle MacLean, Tracey Rigney and Dena Curtis; and New Zealanders Tim Worrall, Richard Curtis, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Chantelle Burgoyn and Mario Gaoa.
The many First Nations actors involved include Clarence Ryan, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Leonie Whyman and Calvin Tuteao.
No international sales agent is yet attached to the film, which is...
- 5/4/2022
- by Sandy George
- ScreenDaily
They only spent one summer together as children, but the connection they share from blood and heritage ultimately lasts a lifetime, whether they know it could or not. Makareta (Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels) promised young Mata (Te Raukura Gray) that she’d never give up looking for her—because even though they were together now, British laws had intervened to ensure that moment remained brief. It didn’t matter that Makareta, Missy (Keyahne Patrick Williams), and the rest of their Māori family wanted to keep her in their arms and raise her in the land where her mother now rested. Mata’s father had already given her to a woman in England only too willing to use her as a revenue stream upon graduating from a school for desolate children.
Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace Smith’s (who adapted Patricia Grace’s renowned novel) Cousins is thus the decades-long journey...
Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace Smith’s (who adapted Patricia Grace’s renowned novel) Cousins is thus the decades-long journey...
- 7/20/2021
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
"Returns to your mountains..." Array has unveiled a new US trailer for a New Zealand film titled Cousins, which is soon getting an official Netflix release in the US this summer. Ava DuVernay's Array Releasing is proud to announce the debut of Cousins, directed by Ainsley Gardiner & Briar Grace-Smith. The film follows three Māori cousins—Mata, Missy and Makareta—who lead separate lives, yet are bound together forever. The story entwines the very different lives of three Maori girls, cousins, through tumultuous decades, after one of them is taken from her family and raised in an orphanage. Cousins' ensemble cast includes Rachel House, Tanea Heke, co-director Briar Grace Smith, Ana Scotney, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Hariata Moriarty, Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Te Raukura Gray, and Keyahne Patrick-Williams. Cousins is based on the novel of the same name, that's written by one of New Zealand's most prominent and celebrated authors, Patricia Grace.
- 7/15/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Based on the novel by celebrated New Zealand author Patricia Grace, “Cousins” tells the story of three women bound by ancestry and separated by time. The film was helmed by Māori filmmaking duo Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith and debuted at number one at New Zealand’s box office when it was released earlier this year. Gardiner is best known as producer on the early films by Taika Waititi, including his acclaimed directorial debut “Eagle vs Shark.” Both Gardiner and Grace-Smith directed segments of the critically beloved 2017 drama “Waru,” which was directed cooperatively.
Here’s the official synopsis: “‘Cousins’ follows three Māori cousins—Mata, Missy and Makareta—who lead separate lives, yet are bound together forever. Orphaned Mata believes she has no whānau (family) and lives out her lonely childhood in fear and bewilderment. Back home on the land in New Zealand, driven and educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage...
Here’s the official synopsis: “‘Cousins’ follows three Māori cousins—Mata, Missy and Makareta—who lead separate lives, yet are bound together forever. Orphaned Mata believes she has no whānau (family) and lives out her lonely childhood in fear and bewilderment. Back home on the land in New Zealand, driven and educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage...
- 7/15/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Eva Longoria and Sid Ganis Appointed to Academy Museum Board of Trustees
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced that Eva Longoria has been appointed to its board of trustees, while Sid Ganis will become the museum’s first honorary trustee.
Since starring in “Desperate Housewives,” Longoria has led the charge for female representation in Hollywood and cemented herself as an entertainment industry staple known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. Ganis, a film executive and producer, has been integral to securing the future of the Academy Museum. He will now serve on the board in a lifetime position.
Longoria and Ganis join existing board members Ted Sarandos, chair; Miky Lee (Mie Kyung Lee) vice-chair; Kimberly Steward, secretary; Jim Gianopulos, treasurer; Patricia S. Bellinger, Jason Blum, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Laura Dern, David Dolby, Sidonie Seydoux Dumas, Ray Halbritter, Tom Hanks, Dawn Hudson, Bill Kramer,...
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced that Eva Longoria has been appointed to its board of trustees, while Sid Ganis will become the museum’s first honorary trustee.
Since starring in “Desperate Housewives,” Longoria has led the charge for female representation in Hollywood and cemented herself as an entertainment industry staple known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. Ganis, a film executive and producer, has been integral to securing the future of the Academy Museum. He will now serve on the board in a lifetime position.
Longoria and Ganis join existing board members Ted Sarandos, chair; Miky Lee (Mie Kyung Lee) vice-chair; Kimberly Steward, secretary; Jim Gianopulos, treasurer; Patricia S. Bellinger, Jason Blum, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Laura Dern, David Dolby, Sidonie Seydoux Dumas, Ray Halbritter, Tom Hanks, Dawn Hudson, Bill Kramer,...
- 6/29/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Array Releasing, the distribution arm of Ava DuVernay’s Array collective, has picked up North America, UK and Ireland rights on the feature Cousins, helmed by Māori filmmaking duo Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith.
Pic debuted at No. 1 at the New Zealand box office when it was released earlier this year. It follows three Māori cousins—Mata, Missy and Makareta—who lead separate lives, yet are bound together forever. Cast includes Rachel House (Moana), Tanea Heke (No .2), co-director Briar Grace Smith (Waru), Ana Scotney (The Breaker Upperers), Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (Hunt For The Wilderpeople), Hariata Moriarty (Savage), Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Te Raukura Gray and Keyahne Patrick-Williams.
Array will release on July 2 in U.S. select theaters, while the pic will steam on Netflix beginning July 22.
The acquisition was negotiated by Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw on behalf of Array, and Gardner and Grace-Smith on behalf of the film.
“Cousins is a beautiful story exploring identity,...
Pic debuted at No. 1 at the New Zealand box office when it was released earlier this year. It follows three Māori cousins—Mata, Missy and Makareta—who lead separate lives, yet are bound together forever. Cast includes Rachel House (Moana), Tanea Heke (No .2), co-director Briar Grace Smith (Waru), Ana Scotney (The Breaker Upperers), Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (Hunt For The Wilderpeople), Hariata Moriarty (Savage), Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Te Raukura Gray and Keyahne Patrick-Williams.
Array will release on July 2 in U.S. select theaters, while the pic will steam on Netflix beginning July 22.
The acquisition was negotiated by Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw on behalf of Array, and Gardner and Grace-Smith on behalf of the film.
“Cousins is a beautiful story exploring identity,...
- 6/28/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Family drama to debut on Netflix on July 22.
Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has acquired New Zealand indigenous drama Cousins from Maori filmmaking duo Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith for North America, the UK and Ireland.
Cousins will launch in select cinemas in the US including Angelika Film Center in New York, and two Consolidated Theatres sites in Hawaii on July 2 ahead of a Netflix debut on July 22.
The story centres on three Maori cousins who shared a magical time as children and whose lives diverge over the course of several decades after one of them is taken from her...
Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has acquired New Zealand indigenous drama Cousins from Maori filmmaking duo Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith for North America, the UK and Ireland.
Cousins will launch in select cinemas in the US including Angelika Film Center in New York, and two Consolidated Theatres sites in Hawaii on July 2 ahead of a Netflix debut on July 22.
The story centres on three Maori cousins who shared a magical time as children and whose lives diverge over the course of several decades after one of them is taken from her...
- 6/28/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Cornerstone is heading to the virtual EFM with New Zealand drama Whina, which stars Siren, Once Were Warriors and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones actress Rena Owen as revered Maori activist and female rights advocate Whina Cooper.
See an exclusive first look image of Owen as Cooper above.
Cornerstone will launch worldwide sales, excluding Australia/Nz, on the film which heralds from writer-directors James Napier Robertson, who directed 2014 festival favorite The Dark Horse, and Paula Whetu Jones (Waru).
Whina (pronounced fee-nah), will see Owen play the role of Cooper, the beloved Māori matriarch who worked tirelessly to improve the rights of her people, especially women. At nearly 80-years-old Cooper became nationally revered as the ‘Mother of The Nation’ when she led the first Māori Land March over 1,000 kilometers from Te Hapua in the Far North to Wellington at the bottom of the North Island of New...
See an exclusive first look image of Owen as Cooper above.
Cornerstone will launch worldwide sales, excluding Australia/Nz, on the film which heralds from writer-directors James Napier Robertson, who directed 2014 festival favorite The Dark Horse, and Paula Whetu Jones (Waru).
Whina (pronounced fee-nah), will see Owen play the role of Cooper, the beloved Māori matriarch who worked tirelessly to improve the rights of her people, especially women. At nearly 80-years-old Cooper became nationally revered as the ‘Mother of The Nation’ when she led the first Māori Land March over 1,000 kilometers from Te Hapua in the Far North to Wellington at the bottom of the North Island of New...
- 2/11/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Throughout his short and blistering career, Taika Waititi has served up quirky indie romance in Eagle Vs. Shark and cast blinding light on a house filled with vampires in the really rather excellent horror comedy, What We Do In The Shadows.
It’s enough to give ardent Marvelites a tease of what’s to come, too, considering that the New Zealand filmmaker is set to helm next year’s Thor: Raganrok. But before whisking moviegoers back to the decadent halls of Asgard, Waititi is on the verge of releasing a much more intimate adventure in Hunt For the Wilderpeople.
Lifting inspiration from Barry Crump’s acclaimed 1995 adventure novel Wild Pork And Watercressa, Hunt for the Wilderpeople places Sam Neill in the shoes of Hec, a grizzled and curmudgeonly foster uncle who reluctantly agrees to take care of Ricky, a stubborn city kid (Julian Dennison). As an unlikely pair of not-so-happy campers,...
It’s enough to give ardent Marvelites a tease of what’s to come, too, considering that the New Zealand filmmaker is set to helm next year’s Thor: Raganrok. But before whisking moviegoers back to the decadent halls of Asgard, Waititi is on the verge of releasing a much more intimate adventure in Hunt For the Wilderpeople.
Lifting inspiration from Barry Crump’s acclaimed 1995 adventure novel Wild Pork And Watercressa, Hunt for the Wilderpeople places Sam Neill in the shoes of Hec, a grizzled and curmudgeonly foster uncle who reluctantly agrees to take care of Ricky, a stubborn city kid (Julian Dennison). As an unlikely pair of not-so-happy campers,...
- 4/28/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
After premiering at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, thankfully one doesn’t have to wait long for Taika Waititi‘s What We Do in the Shadows follow-up Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Set for a U.S. release in June, the film features an unlikely pair (Sam Neill and newcomer Julian Dennison) as they’re on the run from the government following a misunderstanding. Today we now have a thrilling new trailer for the adventure comedy, one of our summer must-sees.
We said in our review, “If one imagines a real-life version of Up with a bit of Thelma & Louise thrown in, they get Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Taika Waititi‘s charming on-the-run adventure comedy. Based on Barry Crump’s book “Wild Pork And Watercress,” the story follows Ricky (Julian Dennison) as a rambunctious foster child on his last straw before juvenile prison. An expert in stealing, graffiti, kicking things,...
We said in our review, “If one imagines a real-life version of Up with a bit of Thelma & Louise thrown in, they get Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Taika Waititi‘s charming on-the-run adventure comedy. Based on Barry Crump’s book “Wild Pork And Watercress,” the story follows Ricky (Julian Dennison) as a rambunctious foster child on his last straw before juvenile prison. An expert in stealing, graffiti, kicking things,...
- 4/27/2016
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
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