Finishing touches for controversial film

Queenstown’s Action Productions puts finishing touches to controversial film.
October 21st
For immediate release

Queenstown and Action Productions provided inspiration to finish one of the more controversial films featuring in this week’s Queenstown International Film Festival. (Oct 23rd)

The sound mix for New Zealand filmmaker Pietra Brettkelly’s Sundance-acclaimed documentary “The Artstar and the Sudanese Twins” was completed at Queenstown’s boutique post-production house late last year. The film follows New York art-world performer and provocateur Vanessa Beecroft as she attempts to adopt two orphaned Sudanese twins.

Filmmaker Piertra BrettKelly says her encounter with the performance artist was utterly fascinating.

"Producing and directing The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins was one of the most profound experiences of my life, not only for the subject matter and the eventual results, but for the possibility to work with such talent as Beth Tredray and Andrew Hillman at Action Productions.

“It was a hard road for us all working over Christmas and New Year to get the film completed for its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2008 but we did it. And having been surrounded by the mountains of Queenstown I flew onwards to the mountains of Utah and mid-winter for the release. It was surreal in so many ways.”

Action Productions was thrilled to provide facilities and work alongside BrettKelly, says co-owner Julian Grimmond. “Because of its unique environs and strong talent base, Queenstown is not only at the leading edge of filming, but also art-house post-production.”

Another film featuring in the film festival Barefoot Cinema: The Art And Life Of Cinematographer Allun Bollinger ” was also finished at Action Productions and television and sound mixer Beth Tredray says you couldn’t get two more vastly different films.

“The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins ' is provocative and political and set in the Sudan whereas 'Barefoot Cinema' is essentially a love story and a tribute to an amazing couple set on the West Coast of NZ.

“It was a privilege to work on, and be part of the sound design and the creative process working alongside two of New Zealand’s top documentary makers Pietra Brettkelly and Gerard Smyth. It’s fantastic that both these films are part of the International Film Festival.”

Queenstown International Film Festival Link http://www.nzff.co.nz/n6375,357.html?region=10

ENDS

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