Poster - Boy

Official Site

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Trailer - Boy

The year is 1984, and on the rural east coast of New Zealand, Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky, a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy's other hero, his father, is the subject of Boy's fantasies. When he returns home after 7 years away, Boy is forced to confront the man he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn to get along without the hero he had been hoping for. Boy was written/directed by Taika Waititi (Eagle Vs. Shark, Flight of the Conchords) who also plays the father in the film. This is certainly his most personal work and has been getting amazing reviews. It will screen this Saturday Nov. 6th as part of AFI Fest 2010. For more info go to afi.com/afifest

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DocuWeeks: This Way of Life

This Way of Life is a beautifully shot documentary about a family of nine set in the luscious backdrop of New Zealand. Peter and Collen are intent of teaching their children to appreciate the land, nature and each other amidst real-life drama that threatens the values they hold dearly. This Way of Life is part of the DocuWeeks Film Fest held in New York and Los Angeles. For tickets and showtimes click here.

Official Website: www.thiswayoflifemovie.com

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Maori Boy Takes it Home

Yesterday at the 60th Annual Berlinale International Film Awards, Indigenous filmmaker Taika Waititi (also known as Taika Cohen) won The Grand Prix of the Deutches Kinderhilfwserk for the Best Film for his film, Boy.

Boy is Waititi's loose film-à-clef about an 11-year-old in New Zealand who lives on a farm and has to confront the reality of his absentee father not living up to his imagined heroic expectations. It has already played to warm reception at Sundance Film Festival this January.

Taika Waititi is of Maori and Jewish descent who gained international acclaim when his 2003 short Two Cars, One Night was nominated for an Academy Award. He also made the cult classic Eagle Vs. Shark and as involved on many episodes of Flight of the Conchords.

I can't dig up if it will be screened in any North American theaters or when the DVD release might be, but I will be sure to share the information as soon as I hear word.

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Eagle vs. Shark

It's pretty hard to find a film more quirky than this one. "Eagle vs Shark is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games" (IMDb). The Māori filmmaker, Taika Cohen, proves that minority filmmakers can craft original pieces that garner worldwide critical acclaim. This film is one of my all-time indie favorites.



Director/Writer: Taika Cohen [photo]
Starring: Loren Horsley and Jemaine Clement
Soundtrack: Original film score by The Phoenix Foundation, also featuring music by M.Ward (it's pretty much an all-around stellar soundtrack)

For Fans of...Napoleon Dynamite and Mozart & The Whale

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