Convert, The (Lee Tamahori, 2023) wr. Shane Danielsen, prod. Hopscotch Films; Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie; NZ; 119 min.
1818: After participating in the slaughter of innocent civilians during an uprising in colonial Ceylon, British soldier Thomas Munro resigns his commission and takes holy orders; soon after he’s on a ship bound for New Zealand, a newly-appointed lay preacher to a fledgling community which has as yet no protection from the Crown.
IF:
Tamahori’s The Convert recently received funding via the New Zealand Film Commission’s (NZFC) Te Puna Kairangi Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund.
Scripted by Shane Danielsen, the film follows Munro, a soldier turned lay preacher who comes to New Zealand to minister to the first colonisers, but is converted by the powerful chief Maianui to serve a different purpose. Lum and Mason produce with Te Kohe Tuhaka, Robin Scholes and Bradford Joseph Te Apatu-o-te-rangi Maaka Haami.
Screen Australia page.
if article on Brouhaha Entertainment.
Garry Gillard | New: 12 January, 2023 | Now: 24 November, 2023