Kismet in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), Firefly Films, Caravan
Carpark Films and Kingston Productions are proud to release the trailer for the highly anticipated local feature film Uproar - which will have its nationwide cinema release on October 5, 2023, hot on the heels of its selection and screening at the
revered Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Alongside Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Godzilla vs Kong, Deadpool 2, Paper Planes), Uproar is brought to life by a superstar cast including local legends Rhys Darby (Jumanji, Our Flag Means Death, Trolls, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What we do in the Shadows, Flight of the Conchords,
The Boat that Rocked and many more), emerging Aotearoa talent Erana James (The Wilds, Changeover), James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse, The Breaker Upperers, Pork Pie), Academy Award Nominee Minnie Driver and newcomer Jada Fa'atui.
Photo credit: Geoff Short. Pictured: Rhys Darby as Brother Madigan, Julian Dennison as Josh Waaka and Minnie Driver and
Shirley Waaka
From award-winning directors Paul Middleditch (Terra Nova, A Cold Summer) and Hamish Bennett (Bellbird), Uproar is a moving and heartwarming story about connection and finding your place in the world. It is the story of 17-year-old
Josh Waaka (played by Julian Dennison). Set in Dunedin in 1981, a rugby-obsessed country is divided over the arrival of
the South African Springboks team, sparking nationwide protests. Under pressure from home and school to conform, Josh,
who has never felt like he fits in anywhere, is inspired by the protests and by a newfound passion for performing to
find his own voice. A sequence of events sees Josh embrace his community and his whakapapa Māori (Māori heritage),
taking him and his whānau on a journey towards healing.
Rolleston plays Josh’s big brother Jamie. This was a full circle moment for Rolleston as he states, “It's funny how
things kind of come back around. When I saw Julian on Hunt for the Wilderpeople, I always thought it would be awesome to
act with this young man. Both working our first jobs with Taika Waititi and now to be acting as siblings together on
this film, is pretty cool, I think! Working with him for the first time and seeing another young Māori man doing his
thing is awesome.”
Driver plays an integral role as Josh and Jamie’s mother and Darby plays Brother Madigan, an English and Drama teacher
who has a profound impact on Josh's life when he encourages his interest in drama. Darby states, “This character Madigan
resonates for me because I had a drama teacher that did the same thing for me” he shares. “That was one of the reasons I
took this part on because it felt special to me.”
“Ultimately, Uproar recognises that everyone comes with their own āhua, or shape, and celebrates this fact.” say
co-directors Middleditch and Bennett. “Josh has never felt like he fits, and although his set of circumstances are
unique to him, that feeling of not fitting in is one that many of us have felt in our lives. Uproar places value on
these differences, prioritises understanding people rather than judging them, and advocates strongly for the voices of
the younger generation as agents of change and evolution. Uproar is a story of hope.”
Co-directors Middleditch and Bennett comment on the trailer release today, “We are proud to be bringing Uproar to
screens across Aotearoa New Zealand this October. This film is full of heart, for all communities and ages, and tells an
important story that everyone will find a connection to. We certainly made Uproar for the big screen, and we can't wait
for you all to come together and check it out.”
Kismet will distribute Uproar theatrically in New Zealand and Australia, with Blue Fox handling international sales. Kismet Managing Director, Jason
Hernandez states, “It’s a privilege for Kismet to bring Uproar to New Zealand audiences. It’s a special film, charming
and moving. Julian Dennison is an absolute star. We know Uproar will appeal to and resonate with a broad audience.”
For further information visit https://tickets.kismetmovies.com/uproar
UPROAR OPENS IN NEW ZEALAND CINEMAS ON OCTOBER 5, 2023