Kiwi musical Daffodils has taken over one million dollars at the New Zealand box office and, now in its fourth week of release, remains in the top ten chart of films currently in theatrical release.
Of the 150 films released in New Zealand this year Daffodils is the eleventh highest grossing film of the year to date and the highest grossing independent (non-studio) film. The film’s soundtrack also debuted at number one on iTunes NZ and remains in the ‘Official Top 20 NZ Albums’.
Written by Rochelle Bright, directed by David Stubbs and produced by Stubbs and Richard Fletcher, the film is a bittersweet love story told with beautiful re-imaginings of iconic New Zealand songs. Based on the much-loved and critically acclaimed stage play of the same name, Daffodils stars Rose McIver, George Mason and singer Kimbra in her big-screen debut.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the level of support we have received from both the cinema exhibition community and audiences for this wonderful Kiwi film,” said Mark Chamberlain, General Manager of Transmission Films New Zealand.
“Huge congratulations to the Daffodils team,” said Annabelle Sheehan, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission. “New Zealand audiences have embraced this film which explores the story of a marriage in an unconventional way – through celebrating iconic New Zealand music.”
Leaving her dying father’s bedside, singer Maisie rushes to perform at an indie music gig in town. But as she sings the opening song, it’s hard for her to ignore the heartfelt story she’s just been told – the story of how her dad met and fell in love with her mother, and how it all devastatingly fell apart.
As the night goes on, we see the love story of Eric and Rose through Maisie’s eyes. From the time they meet in Hamilton in 1966 to their separation in the 1980s, we follow the bittersweet nuances of a couple’s life, expressed with contemporary re-imaginings of iconic hit songs from New Zealand artists including Crowded House, Bic Runga, The Muttonbirds, The Exponents and Dave Dobbyn.
Daffodils remains on 85 screens across New Zealand this week and is screening nationwide over the Easter weekend.