Richie McCaw is still setting records long after leaving the field, as his documentary Chasing Great today becomes the highest grossing New Zealand documentary of all time at the local box office.
The cumulative gross box office in New Zealand is now an incredible $1,818,638. This result sees the film take the number one spot from another film about New Zealand icons Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls. Untouchable Girls released in April 2009 and held the highest grossing spot for an impressive seven years.
Chasing Great opened in New Zealand cinemas on September 1 and achieved this remarkable result today.
Chasing Great Directors Michelle Walshe and Justin Pemberton comment “it's been fantastic to be part of a story that connects with so many kiwis; young and old alike. The best part is hearing all the anecdotal stories of people inspired to do things because they’ve seen the film. The goal was to inspire people to be bold with their dreams and to share the secrets to Richie’s success. That New Zealander’s have loved this film is the real measure of its success. We're thrilled.”
Transmission Films New Zealand General Manager Michael Eldred comments “We are proud to have bought this outstanding film to New Zealand audiences and thrilled that they have responded so enthusiastically to it.”
Dave Gibson, CEO of the NZFC said, “It’s exciting that Chasing Great, a film about a Kiwi icon, has taken the box office record for documentaries. This is the second long-standing box office record to be broken this year - with Hunt for the Wilderpeople - and we’re thrilled that both these films have contributed to New Zealand films having their biggest ever share of the total box office for 2016.”
Chasing Great is an insightful film that weaves Richie McCaw’s life story into his final season as an All Black, revealing the determination and mental toughness of an international sporting legend who still sees himself as an ‘ordinary guy’ from small town New Zealand.
Chasing Great continues to screen, playing in 11 cinemas across the country this week.
Chasing Great is produced by Augusto with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, Woodward Trust and the New Zealand Government's Screen ProductionGrant with financing from Kiwibank.
Last updated:
Friday, 28 October 2016