In The Darkest Night, The Stars Still Shine

Media Release: For Immediate Release – October 6, 2010

In The Darkest Night, The Stars Still Shine

A Filmwork film, in association with the NZ Film Commission, NZ on Air and Fulcrum Media Finance
MATARIKI

Written by Michael Bennett and Gavin Strawhan. Directed by Michael Bennett.

Following its sellout world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, Michael Bennett’s feature length debut Matariki comes to our screens November 18.

Set over five days and nights, this fast paced drama is the story of lives brought into collision by one event. A rugby league star driving past a deserted carpark late at night sees a fight. He intervenes and gets bashed. When a young car thief steals the man’s apparently abandoned car, he unwittingly starts a chain of events that will change his life and the lives of others, forever.

The five stories follow the diverse and often marginalised characters who are each forced to deal with the fallout of this criminal act, letting go of the past and starting a new life. The movie celebrates the human spirit and the universal desire to make life better in a very real world where the problems are about survival.

Featuring a stellar ensemble cast with exciting newcomers Jason Wu and Susana Tang, Sara Wiseman (Jinx Sister, Mercy Peak), Mark Ruka (River Queen), Jarod Rawiri (Jinx Sister), Iaheto Ah Hi (Sione’s Wedding), Alix Bushnell (Go Girls), Michael Whalley (Out of the Blue) and Edwin Wright (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans); with a soundtrack by Don McGlashan featuring original tracks by Gin Wigmore, Bella Kalolo, and the Phoenix Foundation.

MATARIKI was filmed entirely in South Auckland, New Zealand, a place known for its vibrant multi-ethnic community. It’s a place buzzing with community pride and loyalty whilst battling against poverty, crime and drugs. This film directly faces these issues in its storylines. Director Michael Bennett says that even though the film contains some hard-edged elements, “I think it’s full of hope. Ultimately it says that all of us can do better. You can choose to look down at the concrete under your feet and say ‘this is me and this is where I am’ or you can choose to look up at the stars and ‘say this is where I’m heading’.”

Producer Fiona Copland says the film confronts issues that are commonly in the news in New Zealand. “Most of the stories go behind the headlines and take the audience to a really positive place. All the characters are looking for a way forward. They want a sense of family, or they’re looking for love - just like the rest of us.”

In its premiere screening Toronto audiences fully engaged with Matariki, clapping and cheering in the credits and expressing their enthusiasm for the film and its distinctly South Auckland characters. If festival audiences are anything to go by New Zealanders will react with gusto to this kiwi classic in the making.

With NZ films on a roll, director Michael Bennett’s first feature film offers audiences an exciting and hopeful story about New Zealand today.

MATARIKI is released by Arkles Entertainment from November 18th 2010
For more information visit http://matarikimovie.versionproductions.com

ends

© Scoop Media