FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday 23 May
WORLD PREMIERE FOR NZ ROMEO AND JULIET IN JULY
The New Zealand International Film Festival today announced five film titles for the 2013 programme. The world premiere
for New Zealand feature Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song, and Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing are confirmed for the full NZIFF tour after premiering in Auckland and Wellington in July
“The Bard is in great form this year. Much Ado About Nothing is amazing fun. Watching this fresh take on a classic courtship with a delighted 2000-strong crowd of all ages, shapes
and sizes was the highlight of last year’s Toronto Festival for me. And we’re thrilled to be presenting the first
screenings in the world for Tim van Dammen’s Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song. Set in a caravan park called Verona this modern setting provides surprising opportunities for a riotous retelling of
the world’s most famous romantic tragedy.” says NZIFF Director Bill Gosden.
World Premiere
New Zealand 2013
Director: Tim van Dammen
Shakespeare’s tale of teen love reimagined as a rock opera set in a beachside caravan park. A triumphant blast of style
and 21st-century Kiwi trailer trash pop. Classic tragedy probably shouldn’t be quite this much fun.
USA, 2012
Director Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon and a cast of his TV regulars breathe fresh life into Shakespeare’s comedy of romantic gamesmanship. “The
first great contemporary Shakespeare since Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.” — The Guardian
Two films with theatre connections are confirmed for the national programme:
Traviata et nous, France 2012
Director Philippe Béziat
Soprano Natalie Dessay, acclaimed for her dramatic brilliance, rehearses La Traviata in intense creative collaboration with director Jean-François Sivadier. “Ravishing… Time with Dessay is worth
treasuring.” — Village Voice
O Gebo e a sombra, Portugal/France 2012
Director/Screenplay: Manoel de Oliveira. Based on a play by Raul Brandão
Claudia Cardinale, Jeanne Moreau and Michael Lonsdale await the return of a prodigal son in an adapted play from the
world’s oldest director. “A grand piece of cinematic chamber music for a cast of mighty soloists.” — New Yorker
A feature film based on the book by Henry James will screen in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch:
USA 2012
Directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Steve Coogan and Julianne Moore are the divorcing parents seen from the viewpoint of six-year-old Maisie (amazing Onata
Aprile) in this 21st-century Manhattan update of Henry James’ novel. With Alexander Skarsgård.
The programme for NZIFF Auckland will be announced on Monday 24 June and for NZIFF Wellington on Thursday 27 June.
Tickets will be on sale in Auckland from Friday 28 June, and in Wellington from Tuesday 2 July from Ticketek. For
Festival updates visit www.nziff.co.nz and register to receive e-newsletters.
/ends (460 words)