Staff Picks

The team behind the Festival watch a lot of film. We already have our favourites, and also have lists of the films we're looking forward to seeing in the festival this year. Here are our picks!

• Bill (Festival Director)
• Melanie (Administrative Assistant)
• Sibilla (Publications Manager)
• Robyn (Online Coordinator)
• Sharon (General Manager)
• Michael (Assistant Programmer)
• Rebecca (Wellington Publicist)
• Felicity (Auckland Guest Coordinator)
• Anders (Auckland Publicist)
• Flint (Wellington Festival Manager)
• Sahar (Auckland Outreach/Ticketing Coordinator)
• Jim (Print Controller)
• Kitty (Dunedin Publicist)
• Nick (Christchurch Publicist)
• Sandra (Programmer)
• Leandro (Outreach Coordinator)
• Chris Watson (Nelson Film Society Committee Member)

Bill (Festival Director)

I’d heartily recommend the following movies to just about anybody: Tabloid, Project Nim, Love Story, If a Tree Falls, The Kid with a Bike, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, Anton Chekov’s The Duel, Medianeras, Terri, Tomboy, My Reincarnation, Position Among the Stars. And here are five more, maybe less overtly universal in appeal, that strike me as quite exceptional.

Las Acacias
Lonely truck-diver falls for hitch-hiking Madonna and child. The tenderness of this film’s last act is almost too exquisite to bear: minimalism that goes straight to the heart.

Michael
Haneke–protégé Marcus Schleizner plays audience anxieties with the fiendish aplomb of a Hitchcock while mounting an incisive profile of a creepily contemporary villain:  a paedophile who justifies himself with the same diligence any of us might apply to disguising an embarrassing personal quirk.

Mysteries of Lisbon
It is as if storytelling leapt from the 19th-century straight to the 21st : narratives embedded within narratives as enthralling as the pictorial splendour afforded by the boldness, clarity and mobility of HD imagery.

Le quattro volte
An elegantly hewn hymn to the inexorable processes of nature, so artfully crafted that you’ll never look at nature documentaries in quite the same way.

Weekend
Two young men who barely noticed they were lost in the first place begin to find themselves in each other’s eyes. The so-called “gay Before Sunrise” is a perceptive, intricately layered film about falling in love - and it don’t belong in no ghetto.

And the films I most look forward to seeing for the first time:

Melancholia
Le Havre
A Separation
Elena
Pina
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

Melanie (Administrative Assistant)

Festival Films I have Seen

Guilty Pleasures
The director Julie Moggan follows three avid Mills and Boon readers in considerable depth. I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It has sweet, and sometimes funny moments.

The Guard
Captivated at the first scene. Brendon Gleeson is great in this film. And alongside Don Cheadle, they make a great mismatched pair. See this. It's good fun, in a twisted, humourous way.

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Awww. What a cool guy. A sweet tale about Kevin Clash, who pursued his dream of becoming a puppeteer on Sesame Street. An extremely talented, all round nice guy, with a big heart. It was great to see behind the scenes of The Muppet Show and Sesame Street, my favourite legendary programmes growing up.

POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Morgan Spurlocks' film showed at the Sundance festival. This film is entirely sponsored by product placement - even Mane 'n' Tail, the creepy horse-human crossover shampoo wanted a piece of the action.

Take Shelter
My workmate told me I jumped a few times during this film. I didn't really notice as I was so entranced. A feeling of impending doom - the unknown. Incredible acting from the entire cast, but Michael Shannon is amazing.

Medianearas
So lovely. Beautiful people. Beautiful imagery. And a bit funny too. Shot in Buenos Aires, you want these two characters to hook up all the way through the film because they just have to!

Films I want to see

Fire in Babylon
I will take my brother and dad to this film - they are cricket aficionados. Our home was filled with the noise of cricket on TV and my brother had all the gears, playing down at the school field. Sir Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Clive Lloyd etc were legends in our household. I look forward to Dad and Bro's reactions to the films, and the smiles.

13 Assassins
Big budget epic Samurai film. "Outnumbered 15 to 1, it appears they have no chance of survival..." Enough said. I can't wait to see this, and secretly wish I will be the 14th.

The Trip
Watching Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in a celebrity-impersonation battle-off will be British comedy gold.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Since watching the Planet Earth cave documentary, I've been kind of obsessed with cave exploration. I'm looking forward to seeing what has been discovered in these caves in France. Stalactites, stalagmites and beautiful images on the walls. 3D option is a bonus.

Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
One of the first casette tapes I bought. I grew up listening to these amazing talented hip hop artists. 'Life is really bigger than the rolly on my wrist' - The Love Movement.

Another Earth
The synopsis doesn't give away too much, which I like. A fan of the New Directions section in our programme, this film has caught my eye, a prize-winner at Sundance.

Sibilla (Publications Manager)

I’ve seen and recommend

Pina
The best use of 3D ever, and then there are dancers, costumes, music, settings to die for.

Another Earth
Not your blockbuster sci-fi... much more than that (and beautiful colours too)

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
You will laugh, you will cry... you will love it (and you will run home to try to make your own Muppet)

Le quattro volte
Who needs words when images can say as much, if not more? Laughs aplenty.

Tomboy
You will not see kids like these anywhere else and you will miss your long-gone childhood.

Project Nim
What humans shouldn’t do, think and say.

I’m looking forward to seeing

Weekend
Those two guys in the brochure keep looking at me... who I am to say NO?!

Play and She Monkeys
There’s always something in Swedish cinema that surprises/attracts me.

A Cat in Paris and The Great Bear
The kid in me needs to get out somehow.

The Mill & the Cross
Lech Majewski + Flemish painting + Rutger Hauer = ART!

Cria Cuervos
I’m learning the song (‘Porque te vas’) and so should you.

Pina
Yes, it’s that good!

Robyn (Online Coordinator)

Films I've seen

Page One: Inside the New York Times
With the media seemingly in a permanent state of change, Page One offers a fascinating glimpse into the New York Times. I came away a total fangirl of Times media reporter (and former crack addict) David Carr.

Attenberg
Like something out of a Smiths song, a dull seaside town is the setting for sexually inexperienced Mariana to start to figure things out, but with a slightly surreal wildlife-doco twist.

Heartbeats
An incredibly stylish tale of a love triangle between three young French Canadians. But Heartbeats doesn't get caught up in its hipness, acknowledging that romantic turmoil is pretty universal. 

Tiny Furniture
Lena Dunham kind of plays herself in this tale of a young woman suffering from a post-university malaise. Dorky, funny and sweet.

Daytime Tiger
Costa Botes' blunt portrayal of writer Michael Morrissey and his life with bipolar disorder. The secret star of the film is Michael's wife Ann, whose almost endless patience shows the effect that mental illness can have on a relationship.

Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place
Through archival recordings and new interviews, The Merry Pranksters look back at their legendary cross-country road trip. But there are no rose-tinted specs on this psychedelic journey.

Film I'm looking forward to seeing

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
Michael Rapaport's controversial-ish look at the strained relationships between members of one of the most influential hip hop groups.

Moving
Korean director Park Kiyong's portrait of a Korean couple picking up the pieces after the devastating Christchurch earthquakes. One of many stories that will emerge from Canterbury. 

Sing Your Song
A look at the life of Harry Belafonte, who used his celebrity to break ground in the civil right movment - in both American and abroad.

The Screen Illusion
An modern adaption of a 17th century French play, in carefully subtitled verse. An all-seeing hotel concierge observes everything on CCTV, even with glimpses into the past and future.

Pina
One of two 3D films in this year's festival, and like Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Pina skilfully uses the third dimension to illustrate something that two dimensions just can't quite convey. This time it's the work of legendary choreographer Pina Bausch. 

Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
A black and white, musical, new wave film, following an attactive young couple? Yeah, you've got me. 

Sharon (General Manager)

Seen and Recommend

Project Nim
Medianeras
Senna
Pink Saris
Beginners

Looking forward to seeing

Tabloid
Hot Coffee
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Arrietty
Melancholia
Brother Number One
Cria cuervos

Michael (Assistant Programmer)

My six picks plus a couple of shorts

My Joy
Oki's Movie
The Turin Horse
Mysteries of Lisbon
Gantz and Gantz: Perfect Answer
Fire in Babylon

Bonus Shorts
Stick Climbing
Meathead

The ones I'm looking forward to seeing

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Michael
Meek's Cutoff
Melancholia
The Kid with a Bike
The Day He Arrives

Rebecca (Wellington Publicist)

Seen

The Tree of Life
This film was made to be seen on the giant screen. It has a most beautiful depiction of the beginning of the world, gorgeous Jessica Chastain wearing numerous covetable dresses, Brad Pitt AND dinosaurs.

Tiny Furniture
Lena Durnham wrote, directed and starred in the lead role here. Don’t expect a glamorous lead role either. It's an unflattering and honest depiction of Gen Y post-college frustration. Scene-spotters: watch out for the wicked screaming match between sisters!

Las Acacias
Hypnotic and unforgettable, this tale of a truck driver who transports a mother and child across the border stuck with me for days. Very little dialogue is exchanged but the non-verbal actions speak loudly. Will be one of my film highlights for 2011.

Tabloid
Strap yourself in and let Errol Morris take you on a documentary roller coaster ride. Characters and story lines so jaw-dropping that they must be real!

Hot Coffee
This documentary completely changed my point of view on ‘frivolous’ America law suits. A strong reminder to keep track of your own civil liberties, even if we are many miles away from the American legal system.

Being Elmo
Everyone who grew up watching Sesame Street and The Muppets will be at home with this documentary about a kid who had a dream. Even though Elmo came on board after I’d grown up you can still appreciate the child-like joy of being wildly entertained by a cute red monster (and the man beneath the puppet).

Holding out for

Pina
Gorgeousness is promised for the full 103 mins. Inspiring movement, images and costumes await.

Weekend
Everyone who has seen it LOVES this film about a hot gay weekend between two gorgeous boys. I’m missing out and saving myself at the same time!

Mana Waka
A tribute to Merata Mita (who passed away suddenly last year). This film has not been seen in public (in Auckland and Wellington) since 1990. I definitely don’t want to wait another 21 years for the opportunity again.

Cria Cuervos
The soundtrack is on constant rotation in our office… so I’m already hooked. We’ll also be joined at this screening by friends of the Festival (old and new) to celebrate 40 years of Festival fun in Wellington.

Homegrown: Works on Film
Seeing the latest and best in NZ short filmmaking with the Homegrown programme is a great litmus test for the state of our filmmaking community. I always come out of it inspired and impressed by the storytelling from local faces. I do wish Homegrown viewing was mandatory for NZ cinema audiences.

Drive
Ryan Gosling can be my mechanic any day. ‘nuff said.

Felicity (Auckland Guest Coordinator)

Jig
A wonderful documentary on The World Irish Dancing Championships. This documentary follows some extremely talented and driven young dancers who are refreshingly un-precocious with lovely parents. It’s edge-of-the-seat excitement when they finally compete at the end.

The Trip
For fans of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon a very funny follow up to their 2005 film Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story. Steve and Rob (playing versions of themselves) constantly fling very funny impressions back and forth while travelling around England eating delicious meals and seeing lustrous landscapes.

The Great Bear
For kids of all sizes (as long as you can read subtitles), a beautiful Nordic story with a message.

Netherwood (screening in Christchurch)
A modern day western filmed in a stunning North Canterbury landscape. Starring and made by a mostly Canterbury crew this exciting ‘Stranger Walks into Town’ film has all the hallmarks of the Western genre with a good dose of rural Kiwi colloquialism.

Also thoroughly recommend:

POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Submarine
Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow
Page One: Inside the New York Times

Ones I wish I had time to see

Love Story
Tomboy
Snowtown
The Innkeepers
Buck

Anders (Auckland Publicist)

Films I have seen and can recommend

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Inspiring, heartbreaking and thought provoking. This is the top doco I’ve seen so far.

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
It’s easy to see how this independent sequel to the fantastic Elite Squad became the all-time largest box office ticket seller and highest-grossing film in Brazil. It turns the tension up to 11 and keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire film. Mix The Wire with The Departed, set it in Brazil and you’re away. Go go go.

Gantz & Gantz: Perfect Answer (Once you’ve seen the first one you must see the second) 
Latex clad heroes with exotic weaponry, a mysterious black orb called Gantz, high tech samurai swords, The Japanese know how to put together mind bending sci fi.

Circumstance
I don’t think Iranian cinema has ever been so sexy.

Medianeras
If you use this film as a date film you’re guaranteed a pash. It is inevitable!

Bobby Fischer Against the World
I love chess. And I love stories set against the backdrop of the cold war. This one ticks both boxes. It is the When We Were Kings of chess.

Looking forward to

The Guard
I do like a good black action comedy. In Bruges is one of my favourite films and I have a feeling that this one will be just as good.

Martha Marcy May Marlene
I do like a good creepy cult thriller. This one has been much hyped and by all accounts it is the real deal.

Take Shelter
I do like a good disturbing film about visions of the impending apocalypse. If you do too then you need to book right now.

Senna
I do like a good racing film and no one raced better or faster than Ayrton Senna. By all accounts on of the best docos of 2011.

Project Nim
I admit that Rise of Planet of The Apes looks spectacular but why watch that when you can see Project Nim!?! James Marsh made one of my previous film fest favourites Man on Wire and I have great faith in him yet again delivering the goods.

Melancholia
I’m Danish so whenever Lars von Trier makes a new film I’ll be there. And so should you. 

Flint (Wellington Festival Manager)

Films I like so far

Space Battleship Yamato
Space battles, codes of honour, an environmental message, and humour make for entertaining viewing. Some fantastic CGI and character dynamics give this film its shine. Worth watching even if, like me, you haven’t seen any of the TV or anime movies before.

Weekend
A great film about two lonely people looking for meaning in their lives and finding a connection with each other, even though it’s only for one weekend. Self-examination stemming from passion and passionate discussion of two very different points of view make this film one I would easily watch again.

13 Assassins
Possibly the longest action scene I have had the pleasure of viewing in a while forms the culmination of an awesome film that has both truly noble and terrifyingly cruel characters. If you’re looking for sword fights, tactics, cross-country adventures, or really wanting the ‘good guys’ to win, this film is the answer.

Medianeras
I found it strange, but also thrilling, to watch a romance blossom between a guy and a girl who don’t really know the other exists. This is a sweet film about the love of a city and its inhabitants, filled with laughter and the hope that one day these two might actually find each other despite all of their ‘almost’ encounters.

Films I want to see

Arrietty
The Tree of Life
Sons of Perdition
Heartbeats
Submarine
Melancholia

And so many others...

Sahar (Auckland Outreach/Ticketing Coordinator)

Love Story opened the festival in Auckland and had the audience clapping at some of the responses that New Yorkers gave about love. It’s great being surprised by people including a hardened stockbroker, and an auto mechanic who turned to mush when the director Florian Habicht turned his camera on him. The film is proof that finding love isn’t a piece of cake.

I can’t wait to see Melancholia, and Nosferatu along with anyone lucky enough to have bought their tickets already. Tiny Furniture struck a chord and I’m still hoping to see 13 Assassins, Incendies and Taxi Driver on the big screen.

It’s a shame my younger brother’s out of the country, as Arrietty, The Giants, and Buck seem like great school holiday films. There have been brilliant performances from children in Jig and The Tree of Life. 

Jim (Print Controller)

Seen

A Cat in Paris
Medianeras
Meek's Cutoff
Page One: Inside the New York Times
Senna

Holding out for

Drive
Play
Taxi Driver
Norwegian Wood
Tomboy

Kitty (Dunedin Publicist)

Because I am on my ownsome down here 12 picks might seem a bit of an ask, but it just so happens I have 12 easy.

Seen Films

Incendies
One of those films that could be overlooked in the programme, but a powerhouse of emotion with a gut-wrenching twist!

Fire in Babylon
I dreaded this one as all I saw was that it was about cricket, but I trusted the calibre of other sports docos seen in the festival (like the brilliant Tyson in 2009)and I LOVED it! I think it will be a great surprise for many viewers.

Point Blank
This film just does not quit. It rolls from one grimy frame to the next with non-stop action and an edge-of-the seat storyline.

Medianeras
The cutest love story I have seen in ages, has both gorgeous cinematography featuring the architecture of Buenos Aires city and a script with integrity.

Meek’s Cutoff
All the way through this film I thought I disliked it. When it ended I almost felt angry that it, seemingly hadn’t gone anywhere! But it has haunted me ever since. It is beautiful.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi
A fascinating insight into the world of a Japanese master. I agree with Jiro: sushi should be expensive - fish are precious!

Wanna See Films

Love Story
I loved the two films I have seen of Florian’s. Can’t wait for this one.

Le Quattro Volte
This sounds intriguing!

Pink Saris
I am big fan of liberal activists portrayed honestly.

Senna
The Film Festival - the only time you will see me watching sports!

Animation for Kids
With my favourite kids.

Weekend
Always a sucker for a love story. 

Nick (Christchurch Publicist)

I've seen and recommend

Position among the Stars
We know so damn little from the sleeping giant Indonesia it's hard not to like this microscopic take of the struggles of a family caught 'tween the edifices of Christianity and Islam. Positively celestial but close enough to touch you.

The Trip
Coogan and Brydon pair a hilarious and at times poignant road trip of culinary stops around North England. The battle for attention rallies for hundreds of miles- superb!

Netherwood
Has enough testosterone to herd wild horses, filmed nearby in Waipara valley, these woods contain every trick in the genre.

The Solitude of Prime Numbers
Hip, Italian drama defies anything i've seen from these shores lately, an epic snakes and ladders tale of two in various equations makes this my sleeper hit this year.

Heartbeats
In much the same way last years A Single Man flayed me senseless, this sexy urban tryst develops the same photo-chemistry as Firths threads and ticks. Electric!!

Films I want to see

Tomboy
A Separation
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
Eeling (short film)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Passione

Sandra (Programmer)

Whittling down to a few titles is always a nightmare for me, because by selecting a few, I feel I am neglecting all the others that have enriched my life over the past 12 months. I am therefore going to be sneaky and highly recommend, amongst others, (in alphabetical order) Aita, Beginners, Las Acacias, The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu, Autumn Gold, Beauty, Breathing, Drive, The Guard, Guilty Pleasures, The Kid With a Bike, Medianeras, Meek's Cutoff, Michael, The Mill & the Cross, Nainsukh, Once Upon a Time in Anatolia, Pina, Pink Saris, Play, The Screen Illusion, Sons of Perdition, Tomboy.

In particular, these have left indelible traces on my mind

A Separation
A complex, intense, nerve-wracking moral tale.

Elena
The Festival de Cannes this year has to be one of the most satisfying in years - our booty from that event is ample proof - and this was a high point amongst the tremendous line-up.

Le Havre
This is also one of the fine film moments at Cannes this year, and my favourite from the selection. 

Le quattro volte
Profoundly eloquent and with some of the best slapstick comedy I've seen in years.

Mysteries of Lisbon
Swoon-inducing, sumptuous and sublime, one of the great, great films of recent times, it transports you to other realms. I have seen it twice and could return for more.

Tabloid
Delirious and fabulously entertaining.

There are many I want to see (or see again), but in particular I'm looking forward to

Mana Waka and the other New Zealand titles, past and present.

Passione
As I am na wagliona pazza di Napule, I've been keeping track of this film ever since I first got wind of it.

Project Nim

Senna
I care little for cars, men driving fast cars, car racing or the vroom vroom of revving motors. However, Aryton Senna was something else entirely - even when watched on a little black and white television with lousy reception.

Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure

The Trip

Weekend

The restorations: La Dolce Vita (late 50s Rome!), Taxi Driver (70s New York!), Wild River (Monty Clift!)

Leandro (Outreach Coordinator)

Seen

Viva Riva
What did the Hollywood Reporter say about the film again? “Vicious, sexy and throbbingly realistic…the film is one joyride that knows it will careen into a spectacular crash.”  - ALL TRUE. That’s why I loved it!

Tomboy
Probably my favourite film so far. The main character is incredibly involving and convincing. All the characters are real and when you think it can all go over the top it contains all the emotions again and takes you through some heavy stuff in a mature and gentle way. I was really touched by this film.

Senna
Well, I am Brazilian so like all Brazilians, the word Senna rings more bells than Santa Claus. This film is an emotional rollercoaster and absolutely exhilarating. Word of advice for any Brazilian out there: take a tissue. Cool to see the behind-the-scenes Ayrton Senna/Allan Prost rivalry and politics going on.

Passione
Napoli, music, passion, passion, passion. I would recommend this film to all music lovers: opera lovers, jazz lovers, rap lovers, bolero lovers... actually for all lover lovers!

Point Blank
Really enjoyed action packed, French thriller.

Heartbeats
Visually stunning! Nice dressed, sexy, intellectual French-Canadians. The soundtrack and the slow walking shots really sealed the deal.

Looking forward to

Cria Cuervos
Bill, the boss mentioned a film he was planning for the Wellington 40th. I had never heard of it before. He mentioned a song in the film, Porque te vas, that is just addictive. Conclusion: we are all hooked up on the song and EVERYDAY at 5pm-ish, our office stops to listen to it and do the little dance. Check out the trailer.

Circumstance
There is something about this film that oozes sensuality. The people the language, the scenery. I’m curious to see what the Tehran underground world and culture is like.

The Mill & the Cross
This is a film to be seen on a VERY large screen. I watched the trailer and was mesmerised. It’s like a moving painting. Have you noticed the key image on the book? Breugel keeps looking at you from whichever angle you are.

Stori Tumbuma: Ancestors' Tales
Wellington-brewed with Papua New Guinea crops. From all the NZ docos this really grabbed me. I like to hear people’s stories, their beliefs and learn about their rituals. This has it all, including a bit of dance.

The Great Bear
I got teased for looking forward to this one. I confess - I still watch cartoons and read comic books

La Dolce Vita
Do I even need to explain? Keywords: Federico Fellini; Marcello Mastroianni; Anita Ekberg and all this in Italian!!! Oh I had a black cat named Fellini once and it reminds me of him as well.

Chris Watson (Nelson Film Society Committee Member)