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Toa Fraser to represent No. 2 at Sundance Festival

Published: Thu 19 Jan 2006 01:21 PM
Writer & Director Toa Fraser to represent No. 2 at
Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY 19 JANUARY 2006
Toa Fraser’s debut feature No.2 has been selected in competition for the USA’s most famous film event, the top ranking Sundance Film Festival founded by Hollywood star, Robert Redford. The film is one of only 16 films from around the world selected for the Sundance World Dramatic Competition, a remarkable achievement for Toa Fraser's first feature film.
The 2006 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Park City, Utah from 19 - 29 January, (winners are announced on 29 January 2006).
No. 2, written and directed by award-winning New Zealand playwright, Toa Fraser leaves Auckland tonight Thursday January 19 for Utah together with Mia Blake and No.2 producers Tim White, Philippa Campbell and Lydia Livingstone to represent No. 2 at the Sundance Film Festival later this week. Joining the No.2 'crew' at Sundance from New York City will be Emmy Award-winner Ruby Dee who portrays the starring role of Nanna Maria in No. 2.
"From a backyard in Mt. Roskill to the Sundance Film Festival, it's crazy and very cool, a big honour. I'm very proud of the film and can't wait for audiences to get to see it" says Toa Fraser.
Infused with the heat and vibrancy of the South Pacific, No. 2 is a big-hearted, exuberant story about what it takes to bring family together. Inspired by a dream of her childhood back in Fiji, Nanna Maria demands that her grandchildren put on a big feast at which she will name her successor.
Ms Dee has appeared in many feature films including Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever and Do The Right Thing.
No. 2, with casting by Diana Rowan (The Piano; Whale Rider), features a fine ensemble of both well established and emerging New Zealand actors including Taungaroa Emile and Mia Blake. Joining them is one of Scandinavia’s most successful young actresses, Tuva Novotny.
Kathleen Drumm of NZ Film, who is handling international sales of the movie.
“Sundance is the premier film festival in America, the leading North American showcase for independent film and particularly famous for discovering talent” says NZ Film’s Kathleen Drumm. “Like all A Grade events, selection is an extremely competitive process and we’re thrilled that Toa’s film has been chosen. We anticipate serious international distributor interest as a result. Many of these distributors will be at Sundance which we expect to be a very busy market for us.”
No. 2’s cinematographer is Leon Narbey (Whale Rider; Perfect Creature) and the film was edited by Chris Plummer (In My Father’s Den).
No. 2 was produced by Tim White (Ned Kelly; Two Hands; Oscar & Lucinda), Lydia Livingstone and Philippa Campbell (Black Sheep; Rain) for Colonial Encounters & Southern Light Films. The film was financed by the New Zealand Film Commission, Working Title Films, Miramax Films, NZ On Air and TVNZ.
No. 2 Cast Ruby Dee, Tuva Novotny, Mia Blake, Taungaroa Emile, Tanea Heke, Xavier Horan, Nathaniel Lees, Miriama McDowell, Rene Naufahu, Antony Starr, Pio Terei.
No. 2 will be released in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday 16 February 2006 by Buena Vista International.
ENDS
Sundance Film Festival site: www.sundance.org

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