NZ shines at Toronto Film Festival – FILM NZ
23 August, 2012
Emperor, a major Hollywood movie filmed in New Zealand is to take centre stage at the prestigious Toronto International Film
Festival next month.
Emperor, which was filmed in locations in Wellington and Auckland, will have its world premiere at TIFF, which is regarded as
one of the most influential international screen events and a launching pad for the Oscar season.
Directed by Peter Webber (Girl with a Pearl Earring), Emperor was shot in New Zealand earlier this year in New Zealand. With the exception of two days in Japan, the entire film was
shot at 32 locations in Auckland and locations in Wellington and Hamilton as well as at the Auckland Film Studios.
Film New Zealand, along with the regional film offices in Auckland, Wellington and Otago-Southland showcased New Zealand
to international producers Gary Foster, Yoko Narahashi and Eugene Nomura and director Peter Webber in 2011.
Film New Zealand CEO Gisella Carr says there is intense international competition in attracting film productions, and Emperor is the perfect example of how New Zealand is able to transform great locations and local screen talent into wonderful
international films.
The film is set in American-occupied Japan in the perilous and unpredictable days just after Emperor Hirohito’s World
War II surrender. Matthew Fox (World War Z, Alex Cross), Academy Award® winner Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln, Hope Springs) and newcomer Eriko Hatsune star in this gripping tale of love and honour forged between fierce enemies of war.
“It was crucial the locations could depict post war Japan, in particular Wellington’s Massey University became General
MacArthur’s Tokyo headquarters, while Auckland’s former Southdown Freezing Works became bombed post-war Tokyo. Equally
important was the reputation of our talented and creative New Zealand crews, who were key to the producers choosing New
Zealand. We pride ourselves on being a centre of excellence with talented people and wonderful scenery. The overall
package is a winning formula.”
New Zealand’s own Academy Award winning production designer Grant Major, costume designer Ngila Dickson, and Oscar
nominated cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh were instrumental in encouraging the producers to film in New Zealand.
The production shot for 40 days in New Zealand with at least three hundred New Zealanders involved. New Zealanders made
up more than half the 45 cast and extras.
Emperor is a co-production between Fellers Film and Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment.
ENDS