How Far Is Heaven
Listing details: How Far Is Heaven film screening
When: 7pm Thur 28 March, and 7pm Wed through Sat 3 - 6 April.
Where: The New Zealand Film Archive, 84 Taranaki St, Wellington
Ticket price: $10 public / $8 concession
How Far Is Heaven (2012) is a mesmerizing documentary about the community of Jerusalem/ Hiruharama, on the Whanganui river. The film is a
portrait of a village and its diverse residents. Jerusalem is depicted as place of “powerful dualities.” Māori and
Christian spiritualities coexist side by side, and pig hunting, perfume appreciation, gang parties and prayers are all
common social activities in the area.
In particular, the film focuses on Sister Margaret Mary, a nun who is new to Jerusalem and who devotes herself to
“accompanying” the community in its daily life.
The Sisters of Compassion congregation have lived in Jerusalem since the 1880s. At the time of shooting Sister Margaret
Mary was one of three remaining nuns.
While making How Far Is Heaven, the directors Chris Pryor and Miriam Smith spent a year living in the small community and getting to know its
residents. The film presents a fascinating picture of a community that has been shaped by the tolerant coexistence of cultures and
religions.
In 2012, the film won a Moa New Zealand Film Award for Best Documentary Cinematography. It also received nominations in
the following categories: Best Documentary, Best Documentary Directors and Best Documentary Editing.
“This is brilliant... the most amazing film, this is just gorgeous... I think it will tell a lot of people that [Taika
Waititi’s] Boy is real... it’s definitely something that you should make a point of seeing.” - Sarah McMullan, Radio New Zealand
“Pryor and Smith must surely have had thousands of hours from which to sew this patchwork quilt, and they have created a
magical picture of what will be, to many of us, an almost mystical world. Without the need for a crazy central character
or dramatic narrative arc, How Far is Heaven’s grace and subtlety lends weight to how we can justify calling our country Godzone.” - Sunday Star Times, 27 July 2012
How Far Is Heaven will screen at 7pm Thursday 28 March, and again at 7pm Wednesday through Saturday 3 - 6 April.
ENDS