Internationally renowned director to film in New Zealand

4 November, 2011

Internationally renowned director to film in New Zealand

Peter Webber, director of the acclaimed "Girl with a Pearl Earring" has announced that he is to film his new production in New Zealand in January 2012.

The film, with a working title of "Emperor", will go into production in January, filming in both Auckland and Wellington, with some specific scenes also being shot in Japan.

Inspired by true events, "Emperor" is set amidst the tensions and uncertainties of the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II.

Film New Zealand successfully showcased New Zealand to producers Yoko Narahashi, Gary Foster, and Eugene Nomura and director Peter Webber as the country in which to make their film and says landing the quality production is a feather in the cap for the screen industry here.

"This success highlights New Zealand's on-going ability to attract first class filmmakers and producers," says CEO Gisella Carr.

She says international production is key to industry growth and employment. A number of New Zealanders will be employed on the production, including Academy Award winning Production Designer Grant Major, Academy Award winning Costume Designer Ngila Dickson, and Producer Tim Coddington, and it is anticipated the majority of the crew joining them will be from NZ.

Distinguished "Emperor" producer Gary Foster's career includes features "Sleepless in Seattle" "The Soloist" and "Ghost Rider" among others. He says there was intense international competition for this project, but that in the end the elements New Zealand was able to line up made a compelling case. The production team visited the country on a Film New Zealand-hosted reconnaissance earlier this year.

"Our visit to New Zealand convinced us that the quality and talent of the industry, alongside the outstanding locations and the exceptionally positive experiences filmmakers have in New Zealand offered the possibilities for making a great film in the country."

Gisella Carr says the screen industry is one of New Zealand's major strengths, with a current value of more than more than $2.8 billion from international and domestic production.

"New Zealand continues to have remarkable international success with its screen industry, with a reputation and scale of business which would not have been thought possible 20 years ago.

"There is nothing flash in the pan about this success - just solid hard work and commitment from a talented industry, together with backing from Central Government, local authorities and the wider New Zealand community - who make location shooting possible."

Film Auckland, Film Wellington and Film Queenstown/Otago Southland supported the national office to demonstrate how their locations could best meet the needs of the script.

Gisella Carr says the " Emperor" announcement tops off a great year for the New Zealand international feature film industry, with the release of "Yogi Bear" and "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes", "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn" and "The Hobbit" currently shooting.

"It is amazing that only ten films ever have crossed the threshold of $1 billion in box office earnings, and two of those ten ("Avatar" and "Return of the King") were made in New Zealand".

ENDS

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