Producers | Patsy Burke and Tim Hawthorne

Writer Director | Doug Brooks

Director of Photography | John Crisstoffels

Starring | Phoenix Cross, Lawerence Wharerau, Kat Toia and Nancy Brunning.

Shoot dates November 29 to December 1st 2019

SYNOPSIS 

Isolated in the rugged South Island wilderness Ashley searches for a bird that has eluded ornithologist for a half century. News of her Nan’s funeral back in civilisation arrives after the fact and devastates Ashley. In a series of disrupted realities, the wildlife she encounters become paternal surrogates as she struggles to process her loss. With her Nan gone and hope in finding the bird diminished, Ashley’s recordings may be the last time the forest ring out with the haunting call of the Kōkako.

Background

As a child, my Nana was instrumental in ensuring a love of nature was passed down. She would take me for walks and tell me the names of different animals and trees. Now I do this with my own children and this story is for them. It is a story about whānau and hope spoken both in Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Pākehā.

The New Zealand Film Commission love the script and are supporting us with the production.

FUND RAISING TO START NEXT MONTH

In addition to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission we aim to raise a further $14,000 to get this production off the ground. Please contact me if you wish to donate!