Discoveries from New Zealand World Cinema

A misfit high school girl Iona gets invited to slumber party. Only when she arrives, something isn't right. An unexpected night unfolds all under the gaze of Gounod.

Two decades on from Cinema of Unease, Tim Wong’s essay film contemplates the prevailing image of a national cinema while privileging some of the images and image-makers displaced by the popular view of filmmaking in Aotearoa. Now streaming for free at: films.lumiere.net.nz

In a surprising turn of events, a South African Formula 2 driver is promoted to Formula 1 mid-season, only a couple of days before the Belgian Grand Prix. With everyone expecting him to be gone quickly, he must prove that he belongs in the seat... (This is not an official F1 project, and is made purely for artistic and storytelling purposes.)

KURA SHOULDA WOULDA is the 2019 Billy T award winning show by Kura Forrester. Directed by Jessica Joy Wood, filmed and edited by Tim Batt. Performed at Q theatre in August 2019.

The lineage of mountain lifestyle continues in Warren Miller Entertainment's 68th full-length feature film, Line of Descent, presented by Volkswagen. In this year’s film, WME travels the globe, by land, air, and sea, exploring the ties that bind ski culture.

The story of unemployment in New Zealand and In A Land of Plenty is an exploration of just that; it takes as its starting point the consensus from The Depression onwards that Godzone economic policy should focus on achieving full employment, and explores how this was radically shifted by the 1984 Labour government. Director Alister Barry's perspective is clear, as he trains a humanist lens on ‘Rogernomics' to argue for the policy's negative effects on society, as a new poverty-stricken underclass developed.

When a corporate mining giant moves into a small coastal town looking for gold and talking about trickle down wealth - some folk just aren't convinced.

Women talk about the circumstances that drove them to seek illegal abortions and the often traumatic result. Interwoven with historical photographs and newsreel footage, the stories expose how the reality of women's lives were counterposed to what was socially and morally expected of them.

Five men from different islands throughout the South Pacific join forces in 1978 and find the words and the music within each other to give New Zealand its voice and Pacific place in the world.

Logan, an ex-gang leader, has left the gang life to raise his daughter Tori. But when Tori is murdered by an opposing gang in town, Logan must choose forgiveness or revenge.

Based upon the life of activist and trade unionist (and later MP) Sonja Davies. The film covers her life up to 1956, when, at age 33, she was elected to the Nelson Hospital Board. During this period she develops strong socialist beliefs, marries and divorces, at age 17 trains as a nurse, has a romance (and a child) with an American marine who is killed in WWII action. She battles tuberculosis and marries a former boyfriend when he returns from the war. She becomes part of a women's ill-fated campaign to save the Nelson railway line from closure and begins to be elected to political bodies.

Short-film about wanting to be noticed.

Three Maori youths, bored with Auckland, head south in a restored Mark II Zephyr in search of something different. One of them is on the run from drug dealers, whom he had crossed. Various mini-adventures occurs as they make their way down the North Island, but it all comes to a head while visiting a cousin. Finally, they, the drug dealers and the police all come together, with the expected fights and arrests.

Mary feels alien pregnant, the doctor thinks it’s probably allergies, only slime will tell.

The main part of the film takes place by the legendary Lethe River on New Zealand’s wild and wondrous South Island. Back in 1988, one of the most iconic fly fishers of our time, Lars Lenth, spent three months exploring the fabled river and fishing for its abnormally large trout. At night, he would sit down in a remote cabin and write down his experiences in a journal. Nearly 25 years later, the young trout bum Rolf Nylinder looses his way in the wilderness near Lethe. By chance, he finds the long-lost journal, full of insights about the very soul of fly fishing. Along with Rolf on the trip is documentarist Peter Christensen, filming their mostly failing attempts to catch trout, and Rolf’s ever-growing interest in the wisdom of the journal. The old book becomes a moral compass for Rolf, who gradually becomes more and more obsessed by the poetic adventures Lenth wrote down in a dreamy past. Destiny forces the two fly fishers together, but what will happen when their worlds collide?

A Documentary crew explore the life of Kuresa Tapu, a man who believes he is a Kung Fu master. As the crew delve deeper and ask more questions, they soon discover Kuresa may not be who he say's he is.

A man installs a set of French doors during a renovation. What he doesn't know is that the doors harbour a secret. A dark secret...

The world’s museums are closed. What are you missing?  Take a real-time walk through the Louvre towards the “greatest painting ever” and contemplate what it would be like to be there yourself.

Her Majesty is a coming-of-age film about a young girl who realizes her lifelong dream when Queen Elizabeth II comes to visit her small hometown.

A newly-baked bun in a bakery tries to avoid getting eaten.

A gang of construction workers try to relieve tension by taunting their newest member.

MARIAN is an 80 year old resident of Meadow Park Rest Home. During a difficult visit, her daughter PHILLIPA is forced out and accidentally leaves something important behind. Wandering out of the rest home, the outside world proves challenging, as Marian battles her mind in an attempt to return her daughter’s beloved possession.

In a dystopian world where all trees are outlawed, one council worker chooses to rebel

Lars (9) is naive and innocent, all he wants is for his father to be happy and his family to be together. Lars' mother is gone and life has been empty and dysfunctional without her. On the eve of his birthday, Lars' dad, Peter, gets himself drunk and after an embarrassing argument with the next-door neighbor, Alma, masturbates in the backyard. Lars sees everything. Now things are worse than ever. Lars is all alone, struggling to understand what he has seen, he has to figure everything out by himself...

Helen is suffering from chronic depression and uses self inflicted pain as a means of escape. Alex loves her so keeps trying to care for her.

An imperious 'dream director' and her technicians create a new nightmare, using an advert for Germo toilet cleaner as inspiration. Suzie is so scared she avoids using her grandparents' loo. Meanwhile her subconscious dream team are planning their best production yet.

Genuine New Zealand treasures Isey and James invite us into their lives in the week leading up to Isey's 100th birthday! A Northland celebration of life and aroha like no other!

an avant-garde comedy about a group of evolutionary losers who have a message for Homo Sapiens: don’t f*ck up the world.

This haunting, personal film offers a firsthand perspective on the hereditary neurodegenerative Huntington’s Disease. The condition typically shows up in mid-adult life, and DNA testing has shown Wellington film editor and screenwriter Bridget Lyon is likely to fall prey. She and her husband, director Jeff McDonald, are forced to face the disease’s horrors head-on while watching her mother’s deterioration.

In the aftermath of The Great War, a young soldier battles nightmares while coming to terms with his new face.

A nightmare chase across the scenic splendor of a wild continent. David Manning, a young accountant, is unable to live within his income. He spends his spare time in Auckland with the young set - and his friends Sandra, Dorothy and Athol all like the outdoor life in the daytime and the bright lights at night. David finds himself in financial difficulties and leaves his job.

Baelin (Rowan Bettjeman), a simple background NPC in the video game 'Skycraft' has been walking the same route for as long as he can remember. However, his peaceful (and mindless) routine is violently shaken as a short-tempered Adventurer (Ben Van Lier) drags him off his path and into a dangerous quest to escort a mysterious NPC girl named Willow (Phoenix Cross) across the harsh world of Azerim.

A therapist suggests an alternate way for an abused wife who has survived her suicide attempt to deal with her problems.

Fishing comedy/drama based on a true story about two mates in a Kaipara Harbour fishing contest who end up being blackmailed when caught cheating.

The story of a humble farming couple, a sudden upheaval and an unlikely saviour.

In the face of her mother’s absence and her father’s alcoholism, 12 year old girl, Küī, rises above her age, caring for her brothers and confronting life’s harsh realities. Inspired by a true story.

In small town Carlton Bob, the head of the Progressive Association, the local accountant and the boxing coach at the men-only gym, hires a masseuse from Auckland. Sandra is quite happy to give straight massage, but Bob pressures her to give "city massages". The wives are disturbed by her presence - perhaps with some justification. The climax occurs when accountant Phil, wants to leave his wife for Sandra; but when she rejects him, he smashes up the gym. The boys rally round to hush up Phil's indiscretion.

Two mysterious figures arrive on earth to hunt down a renegade and determine the fate of the planet.

Jemaine Clement (pre-Flight of the Conchords fame) is the young man who faces up to a sentient soda machine in this short from Jason Stutter.

When a young boy is left home alone with his increasingly unwell grandmother, he is forced to come to terms with her deterioration.

Angie Meiklejohn, prominent and articulate Centrepoint survivor, is joined by her siblings in this lucid exploration of the legacy of sexual abuse, directed without a hint of sensationalism by Costa Botes.

An intimate look at Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian born New Zealand based MMA champion, which goes beyond the ring and delves deep into an unlikely fighter's journey. Exploring themes of masculinity, bullying and even the healing power of dance, this documentary is a poignant examination of the complex, exciting and sometimes controversial person known as 'The Last Stylebender.'

An intimate insight into a familiar community through the common currency that links us all.

Shot for an Australian Travel Agents Seminar, this short film seeks to portray 1969 New Zealand as a hip and happening place. The tourism clichés of a scenic wonderland remain, but the film attempts to present a more sophisticated NZ to entice jet-set Aussies east. After all, we "got rid of six o'clock closing ages ago." To complement the Anzac staples of sport, beer and gambling there are mountains and Māori. Nightclubs offer show bands and strippers for "relaxation" after strenuous days of sightseeing. C’mon is a fascinating snapshot of a nation in transition.

This documentary exposes Antarctica's dramatic climate shifts, from melting ice to rising seas, showing how changes at the world's edge threaten Earth's shared future.

Armed with only their comedic genius, impeccable wit, and intellectual nous, two teams of comedians battle it out in the Great Comedy Debate of 2023.

A radio compere is forced to take the late shift and finds her night going places she couldn't have imagined.

A multi-stranded, narrative impression of a tragic robbery that took place in Manurewa, New Zealand in 2008.

Through talent and hard work, Halvard Solness has achieved no small measure of fame and fortune. But the unexpected return of Hilde Wangel to his life threatens to shake the foundations of his success. ATC On Stage|On Screen presents one of Ibsen’s most fascinating and enigmatic works in a new hybrid of theatre and film. In this high quality studio adaptation of The Master Builder, a successful builder and property developer has his creative flame reignited by a young woman from his past, with dramatic consequences. Ibsen specialist and ATC Artistic Director Colin McColl presents a magnificent work from a master playwright, in an innovative post-COVID-19 format.

Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them - did they make a difference?

A documentary that follows the lives of multiple chicken enthusiasts as they prepare for the New Zealand national Chicken competition.

Inspired by ‘elephant consciousness’, Clark Duke has created Virtology, an internet religion with which he plans to change the world. He attracts thousands of followers which fuel his desire to spread the word In Real Life. When his house burns down under suspicious circumstances he heads out on this fish-out-of-water tale where we witness the main character (now known as Satchimo) in his misadventures attracting new followers and the media, all the while being haunted by two online followers who he neglects in his offer of salvation. Godplex offers insight into the contemporary dogma that you can achieve your goals no matter how lofty – even achieve celebrity status – an occupation that anyone can take up, no matter your experience or abilities. Though the content can be surreal, poetic and philosophical, this tragi-comic story offers an accessible cinema experience featuring moments of incredible beauty and a great soundtrack comprised of industrial and big band jazz.

A young Afghan woman, promised a new life in New Zealand through an arranged marriage, is forced to confront both the expectations of her culture and her own yearning for independence.

Over the course of four decades, filmmaker Paul Oremland documented his romantic and sexual encounters with roughly one hundred men. He preserved nearly all of these detailed recollections and threaded them together in a portrait of a gay life.

Kim Webby’s background in investigative journalism is put to riveting use in this documentary about Tame Iti and the Urewera Four, taking a criminal case of national interest to explore a greater social issue.

After Jane leaves Bill, they each meet unusual strangers as they travel on their own.

A small town girl gets more culture, adventure, romance in the big city. To make it through is coming up with elaborate schemes 2 beat the odds.Urban Turban is a movie that gives u many different flavors mixed together a cross cultural stew of Kiwi urban life.

A troubled missionary, led by a rough Pākehā guide, treks through the forest of 1820s Aotearoa. On a journey to deliver a musket to a distant leader, they are surprised by the appearance of a young Māori man who proclaims he’s been sent to guide them. After joining their party, it is not long before the cultural differences of the trio divide them, and the missionary is forced into an awful revelation of his true nature

Claude and his friends are out of their element and in a whole lot of trouble when they choose the wrong lettuce for lunch. They must now find their way out of this world of horrors before they end up on the menu!

As a middle aged married couple shop for a new bed they begin to realise their bed might not be the only thing they’ve out grown.