INDEPENDENT NEWS

Local Vampires Make Their Mark in ‘Vellington’

Published: Wed 11 Jun 2014 10:51 AM
Local Vampires Make Their Mark as the Capital City Transforms into ‘Vellington’
Wellington, June 10th 2-014 - Local Wellington Vampires Vladislav the Poker and Viago von Blitzenberg unveiled their latest DIY masterpiece in Wellington tonight, the addition of a giant ‘V’ to the iconic Wellington sign.
The local vampires (who bear a striking resemblance to local comedy heavyweights Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement) have joined forces with Positively Wellington Tourism and Wellington Airport to declare the city officially ‘Vampire Friendly’ as they head towards the 19 June nationwide NZ cinema release of their feature film ‘What We Do In The Shadows”.
"Ve think this idea is vonderful and ve applaud Vellington for opening its doors to the Vampire community,” Says Viago. “Ve can't promise not to eat anyone but ve vill do our best."
Vellington Airports Chief Executive Steve Sanderson was pleased to be able to help the Vampires and their mortal counterparts with their cleverly crafted piece of handiwork.
"We have really enjoyed playing our small part in supporting Taika and Jemaine's film which is a local production that showcases Wellington and the creative talent that lives here. We're also proud to help the local vampires Viago and Vladislav tell their story to the world".
The installation of the ‘Vellington’ sign also coincides with the launch of the ‘Vampire’s Guide to Vellington’ tourism promotion, fronted by Viago (Waititi) which was released online this afternoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGvyjKLLnp4). The city’s website has also been transformed into VellingtonNZ.com to support the film’s release.
Positively ‘Vellington’ Tourism Chief Executive, David Perks, says the coolest little capital in the world is a great destination for travellers of all kinds.
“Wellington’s a very open-minded city celebrated for its fantastic nightlife and great places to hang out – perfect for mortals and immortals alike!”
Vellington Mayor, Celia Vade-Brown, says the capital – which is rumoured to have a zombie apocalypse plan and hosted the first trans-Tasman same sex wedding - is known as a broad-minded city.
“Vellington’s perfectly suited to be the vampire capital, it’s another example of our city getting behind the film industry while making the most of the chance to showcase our home to the Vorld.”
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ has received rave reviews at international film festivals across the world including critical acclaim at the Sundance, Berlinale and SXSW film festivals. The official trailer has over half a million views on YouTube.
Wellington mortals Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement co-wrote, co-directed and co-star in the 85-minute film alongside a host of their New Zealand comedy peers including, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Jonny Brugh, Jackie Van Beek and Rhys Darby (also of Flight of the Conchords fame).
'What We Do in The Shadows’ is set to have its New Zealand premiere in Auckland on 13 June before the Vampires return to the capital for the Wellington premiere at The Embassy Theatre on 18 June.
Tickets are available now for a special Q session with the two directors on the film’s release date of Thursday 19th June at the Embassy Theatre.
The film is due for release in Australia, the UK and USA before the end of the year.
Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv568AzZ-i8
Vellingtonnz.com: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/discover
Vellington video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGvyjKLLnp4
www.whatwedointheshadows.com
FB.COM/WhatWeDointheShadows
TWITTER.com/DeliciousNecks
INSTAGRAM.com/deliciousnecks
ABOUT THE FILM
What We Do in the Shadows is the latest feature from Taika Waititi (Boy, 2004 Oscar nominee for Two Cars, One Night) and Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Concords, Men in Black 3, Dinner for Schmucks, Rio, Despicable Me). The film is based on a short film the pair made in 2005 and is the first time the duo have shared co-directing and co-acting roles.
SYNOPSIS
Flatmates Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonny Brugh), and Vladislav (Jemaine Clement) are three vampires who are just trying to get by in modern society; from paying rent and sticking to the housework roster to trying to get invited in to nightclubs, they’re just like anyone else - except they’re immortal and must feast on human blood. They have one more flatmate, 8000 year-old Petyr (Ben Fransham) who epitomizes the film’s title, he sleeps in the basement, literally in The Shadows.
When Petyr, turns 20-something human hipster Nick (Cori Gonzalez Macuer), into a vampire, the guys must teach him the ropes and guide him through his newfound eternal life. And in return they are forced to learn a thing or two about modern society, fashions, technology, and the Internet. But it’s the introduction of Nick’s human friend, Stu (Stu Rutherford), that really changes the vampire’s lives and attitudes towards the ever-changing world around them.
When Stu’s life is threatened, the vamps show us that maybe humans are worth fighting for, and that even though your heart may be cold and dead, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel anything.
ABOUT THE CAST
VIAGO: TAIKA WAITITI
An acclaimed artist, comedian, writer, actor and director, this is Taika Waititi’s 3rd feature film, and the first in collaboration with his long time comedy mate, Jemaine Clement.
VLADISLAV: JEMAINE CLEMENT
Jemaine has spent a lot of time in front of the camera and he now turns his hand and eye to directing. This is his first feature film as a director, teaming up with his mentor and father figure, Taika, extending their creative working relationship.
DEACON: JONNY BRUGH
Jonny Brugh plays DEACON, a young (107 yrs) impulsive vampire who is most affected by the new vampire, Nick. He was also part of the original short film 8 years ago.
NICK: CORI GONZALEZ MACUER
As seen on TV3’s 7 Days and Jono's New Show! Cori has been a professional stand-up comedian for over 10 years.
STU: STU RUTHERFORD
Originally a professional in the I.T. world, Stu fell into the role of Stu because of who he was.
JACKIE: JACKIE VAN BEEK
Jackie van Beek works as an actress, writer and director in theatre and film. She lives with her young family in Auckland, New Zealand.
PETYR: BEN FRANSHAM
Ben is a Wellington based actor known for 30 Days of night, Heavenly Creatures and My Living Memory.
ENDS

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