1. What we do in the Shadows (2015) – R16
Kiwi directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement co-direct this mockumentary, which is about four vampire roommates who are trying to live an undead life in the modern world. The movie also features werewolves, 1,000-year-old vampires trying to deal with new technology and plenty of kiwi humour. The film has a high rating on film review site Rotten Tomatoes and features the directors in feature roles, as well as Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby.
2. The Dark Horse (2014) – M
This James Napier Robertson directed film features many Kiwi actors, including Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston. It is an intense drama about a troubled chess champion who teaches chess to underprivileged local children. The film won many local and international awards, and highlights the importance that a role-model can play in a child’s life.
3. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005) – PG13
This is a feel-good story about Kiwi record breaker Burt Munro, who set a land speed record at the Utah Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967 driving a 1920 Indian motorcycle, which he rebuilt himself. Starring Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and directed by Roger Donaldson, the film is an adventure story that summarises the Kiwi spirit perfectly.
4. Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) - PG
This animation and comedy film brings the characters from the beloved Kiwi “Footrot Flats” comic strip to life. Comic creator Murray Ball directs the film and legendary comedian John Clarke lends his voice to farmer ‘Wal’, the lead character and owner of ‘dog’.
5. Braindead (1992) – R16
This was director Peter Jackson’s original cult hit and it is also known as ‘Dead Alive’ internationally. It’s the ultimate over-the-top film if you like your horror films to be hilarious and full of gore – it’s like ‘Evil Dead’ with a Kiwi twist. It was also Jackson’s first professionally made movie.
6. Sione’s Wedding (2006) - M
This Kiwi and Samoan hit was directed by Chris Graham and stars Oscar Kightley, Robbie Magasava, Teuila Blakely, Madeleine Sami and David Fane, among other well-known New Zealand actors. The main plot of this comedy is for the four trouble-making main characters to find themselves girlfriends to prove themselves mature enough to attend their friend’s wedding.
7. Goodbye Pork Pie (1981) - PG
This Geoff Murphy directed film is the original Kiwi blockbuster film. It is at times a drama, sometimes a comedy but always action-packed. The film follows Gerry (Kelly Johnson) who steals a yellow Mini from a rental company in Northland and ends up driving all the way to Invercargill, after meeting with John (Tony Barry) who is on his way there to win his wife back and hitchhiker Shirl (Claire Oberman), with the police in hot pursuit the whole way.
8. The Piano (1993) - M
This is a film that will be enjoyed by the movie buffs! Jane Campion directs this Oscar winning drama that stars Kiwis Anna Paquin and Sam Neill, as well as American’s Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. The piano in this story is what ties all the characters together, as Ada (Hunter) and her daughter (Paquin) move with it from Scotland to New Zealand. Once her settler husband (Neill) sells the piano to Baines (Keitel), Ada must win her piano back by playing for Baines as he acts out his desire for her.
9. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) – PG
A film also starring Sam Neill and directed by Taika Waititi, this adventure-comedy focuses on a rebellious kid (Julian Dennison) and his foster uncle (Neill), who go missing in the Kiwi bush. The film is filled with Kiwi humour and classic one-liners, with fantastic performances by the two leads. The film is based on a book written by NZ author Barry Crump called “Wild Pork and Watercress”.
10. Heavenly Creatures (1994) - PG
Another Peter Jackson film, this was Hollywood star Kate Winslet’s first feature film and Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey’s breakout role. This was Peter Jackson’s first high-grossing non-splatter movie and his third collaboration with writer Fran Walsh, who was nominated for an Oscar for her co-writing of the picture.
11. Once Were Warriors (1994) – R16
This hard-hitting film is tough to watch, but that is what makes it so excellent. The director Lee Tamahori and actors Temuera Morrison (Jake the Muss) and Rena Owen (Beth Heke) do an excellent job of portraying a family who fall apart as gang and domestic violence increases. The movie is an adaptation of Alan Duff’s 1990 book of the same name.
12. Whale Rider (2002) – PG
Based on Kiwi novelist Witi Ihimaera’s 1987 novella of the same name, this film tells the story of Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) who challenges tradition and attempts to lead her people forward in this universal coming-of-age story. The film was directed and written by Niki Caro.
13. Utu (1983) – PG
Geoff Murphy directed, produced and wrote this film which focused on the 1870’s, a part of New Zealand’s history when Maori were fighting back against the Colonial Government. ‘Utu’ means ‘retribution’ and in this film Maori leader Te Wheke (Anzac Wallace) is the one who decides enough is enough.
14. Boy (2010) – M
Taika Waititi (director and writer) and James Rolleston (star) make their way onto this list yet again with yet another stunning comedy-drama. This time, Rolleston plays the titular ‘Boy’, an 11-year-old child who gets the chance to know his absentee criminal father Alamein (Waititi). The film is set on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984 and quickly became a classic on these shores.
15. Vigil (1984) - PG
Kiwi director Vincent Ward tells a different kind of coming-of-age story as young farmer Lisa Peers ‘Toss’ (Fiona Kay) copes with her father’s death and her mother’s new relationship in a remote and isolated place.
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