Film

Stuff's short film festival: Vostok Station

Taken from Stuff, by Kirsty Johnson.

Kiwi sci-fi film Vostok Station (watch it here), depicts the isolating and oddly beautiful experience of a sole survivor trapped on the Arctic ice after an unexplained, cataclysmic disaster.

Written and directed by Auckland animator and designer Dyla Pharazyn, Vostok Station tells the story of a wounded man, played by Matt Sunderland (Out of the Blue) dazed and alone, wandering the ice.

Roaming bloody among a polar landscape - pocked with beached container ships - he experiences a moment of sky-splitting beauty.

The film was shot on a tight budget at Mt Ruapehu over three days during winter in 2006 but it took the makers some time to secure a 35mm print, enabling Vostok Station to be submitted to international film festivals.

Following an unsuccessful trip to Bangkok by Pharazyn, the film gained sponsorship from Auckland's post production facility, Digital Post (Lord of the Rings, Thirty Days of Night). Its significant special effects were added and the Dolby mix finished.

Producer Richard Collins said the change in production values ultimately meant the film took longer to finish.

"There was a huge amount of additional work to complete with the change in resolution and we were committed to completing the film to international standards."

But he says the final film is an "incredible achievement" which showcases some of New Zealand's best creative talents and technologies.

Vostok Station is the 12th film to be hosted by Stuff during its short film season. The film was selected for Sundance (where it was nominated for a New Frontier award), Valladolid (Spain) and onedotzero (London) film festivals.

The first was Six Dollar Fifty Man, second Poppy, third Only Son, fourth Amadi, fifth Careful with that Crossbow, sixth This Film is a Dog, seventh Infection, eighth Day Trip, ninth Two Cars, One Night, the tenth Warbrick and the 11th Roof Rattling.

Stuff's short film festival is produced in conjunction with the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Screen.

Simon Ward on Nightline

Watch Auckland Actors' Simon Ward, interviewed on Nightline about his V48 Hours film Headshot.

Watch it here.

V48 Hours the final 13

Taken from NZ Herald, by Russell Baillie.

And so to the most important film event of the week and - to the very many involved - the year.

No, it's not Transformers III and it doesn't involve deciding whether it's worth paying extra for the 3D goggles.

It is the national finals of the V48 Hours film contest which comes to the Civic on Saturday after city finals have whittled down the 800 or so team entries to a final 13.

The winner is up for some serious prizes. Plus, there are awards in a long list of categories from acting through to the best use of this year's mandatory prop (a piece of wire), line ("what have you got?") and character (Bobby Young, an ex-bully).

The teams also drew a genre out of a hat at the start of that weekend of madness in May. Categories included fad movie (yes, lots of planking, none made the final cut), one-room, crime, road, revenge, mystery, musical/dance and horror.

Read the full article here.

National Theatre Live - The Cherry Orchard

by Anton Chekov
a version by Andrew Upton
OPENING IN CINEMAS 21 July

Presented by the National Theatre of London's second season, Anton Chekov's play The Cherry Orchard will be shown on cinema screens as a live recording direct from the London stage. Screenings are limited and will be listed on Flicks.

"Ranyevskaya returns more or less bankrupt after ten years abroad. Luxuriating in her fading moneyed world and regardless of the increasingly hostile forces outside, she and her brother snub the lucrative scheme of Lopakhin, a peasant turned entrepreneur, to save the family estate. In so doing, they put their lives to auction and seal the fate of the beloved orchard.

Set at the very start of the twentieth century, The Cherry Orchard captures a poignant moment in Russia's history as the country rolls inexorably towards 1917. This spirited new version of Chekov's last play follows Andrew Upton's acclaimed adaptations of Philistines and The White Guard." - NT Live

for more information visit the National Theatre Live website.

NZ Herald - V48 Hours short films

Taken from NZ Herald.

In the build up to the V48 Hours Grand Final the NZ Herald is showing a short a day from the competition archives.

Watch Brown Peril: The Tim Porch Story featuring Auckland Actors' Josh Thomson. Brown Peril: The Tim Porch Story by The Downlowconcept was the Grand National Winner in 2006.

Watch Only Son featuring Auckland Actors' Josh Thomson, Elizabeth McGlinn and Andrew Munro. Only Son by The Downlowconcept was the Grand National Winner in 2010.

Stuff's short film festival: Roof Rattling

Taken from Stuff, by Kirsty Johnson.

This week's short film, Roof Rattling (watch it here), follows James and his two friends who break into an eccentric old man's house while searching for his fabled dirty magazine collection.

Written and directed by James Blick, this sensitive short film depicts the boys' intrusion as just one more trial for the old man (played by Grant Tilly) as he copes with loss and loneliness.

Blick says the film explores themes of growing-up, particularly children as they develop their sense of self.

"We are a magnet and a sponge for influence and experience. And we all have moments and experiences in our childhood that remain within out consciousness for the rest of our lives.

"It's these experiences that are significant building blocks of the adults we become."

Roof Rattling is the 11th film to be hosted on Stuff during its short film season.

The first was Six Dollar Fifty Man, second Poppy, third Only Son, fourth Amadi, fifth Careful with that Crossbow, sixth This Film is a Dog, seventh Infection, eighth Day Trip, ninth Two Cars, One Night, and the tenth Warbrick.

Stuff's short film festival is produced in conjunction with the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Screen.

NZ International Film Festival line up announced

Taken from NZFF.

The 2011 New Zealand International Film Festival programme is shaping up to be another great selection of the finest in film from around the world.

The full Auckland programme is now online, with the Wellington programme launching on June 30, and other regions to follow.

This year's haul of films direct from Cannes is the Festival's best and biggest ever, including Palme d'Or winner The Tree of Life.

Government responds to Film Commission review

Taken from NZ Herald.

The Government will evaluate financial incentives for the film industry as part of its response to Sir Peter Jackson's critical review of the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC).

Sir Peter and Australian film academic David Court conducted the independent review of the NZFC for nearly a year, and presented their findings to Parliament last July.

Many stakeholders and industry experts interviewed in the report criticised the organisation.

The Government today released its response to the report, in which it noted many of the recommended changes had either been implemented already or were under review.

Read the full article here.

V48 Hours Grand Finalists & Peter Jackson Wildcards

Taken from V48 Hours, by Ant Timpson.

Congratulations to the Wildcards hand selected by Sir Peter Jackson and of course to all the Grand National Finalists. I can say without a doubt that this one is going to go down to the wire. So many great films going head to head. Run, beg, steal to get a ticket to the Grand Final at the Civic on Sat July 2nd to see who is crowned Grand Champ 2011.

Full list of all National Nominees coming shortly.

WILDCARDS

Mukpuddy - Meanie Pants - Quest
Shonky Productions - 48 Hours - Mystery
The Outwits - Gindin - Musical / Dance

GRAND FINALISTS

Grand Cheval - The Child Jumpers - Fad
Idiotvision - Headshot - One-Room (features Auckland Actors Simon Ward and Mia Pistorius)
Couch Kumaras - Sketch - Road
Mo Appreciation Collective - Circus Animals - One-Room
Cinema in Decline - Tea Jerker - Crime
Lense Flare - Copy That - Road
Clinky - Roborevenge - Revenge
Rubber Soul Production - Well Strung - Musical / Dance
$195 Worth - Urban Etikit - Fad
Suspect TV - Naughty Mana - Horror

From Dame Edna to The Hobbit

Taken from Stuff.

The man behind Dame Edna Everage will need to lose the sparkly glasses and pink wig for his new role in The Hobbit.

Sir Peter Jackson this morning announced two new cast members would be joining the production team in its second block of shooting.

Barry Humphries, the man behind Dame Edna Everage, will play the Goblin King. Sir Peter likened his upcoming portrayal of the role to the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. "Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves."

Evangeline Lilly, from the hit drama Lost will take up the role of a new character, Tuariel, a woodland elf. "Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing!" Sir Peter told fans on his Facebook page.

The crew have now finished their first block of shooting and are scouting locations before the second block starts.

The announcement of the two newest cast members, along with the news that Walsh actor Luke Evans will play Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch will play Smaug, means most of the major roles have now been filled.