Principal photography is underway on the new feature film ‘One Winter’ starring Julian Dennison of Ngāti Hauā (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Godzilla v Kong), Minnie Driver (Circle of Friends, Good Will Hunting), Rhys Darby (Yes Man, Flight of the Conchords), James Rolleston of Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Whakatōhea (Boy, Pork Pie) and Erana James of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Waikato Tainui (The Changeover, The Wilds).
Written by Hamish Bennett (Te Arawa, Patuharakeke, Ngāi Tahu) and Sonia Whiteman, and
directed by Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett, this coming of age story is set in
Aotearoa New Zealand in 1981 when the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off
nationwide protests against apartheid and racism. Dennison plays Josh Waaka, a 17-year-old
who after being a passive bystander all of his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself,
his family and his future.
“One Winter is a story of hope, courage and standing up for what one believes is right,” says
directors Middleditch and Bennett. “It has been incredible to have such a stellar cast join us
for this project and we have been blown away with what they have brought to the story.”
One Winter is currently shooting across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtepoti Dunedin by
a wealth of incredible local creatives and crew. Ensuring production takes place in the stories
home of Ōtepoti Dunedin is integral to the project with consultation with mana whenua
from the runaka/tribal councils of Puketeraki and Ōtākou continuing to be a key part of the
filmmaking process for Producers and Directors.
The film is produced by Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi and Angela Cudd (Ngāti Porou,
Te-Whānau-Ā-Apanui, Ngāti Wai). Troy Lum is executive producer. Stacey Morrison (Ngāi
Tahu, Te Arawa) has supported the film with iwi engagement as well as offering cultural
guidance, however the key creative content that emerges from the partnership with the
runaka of Ōtepoti is very much from those on the ground in that takiwā/district.
One Winter was made with investment from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film
Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant, with financing from
Kiwibank. Blue Fox Entertainment are the international sales agents with Kismet distributing
the film across Australia and New Zealand.