God Bless You, Mr Kopu

Name: New Zealand Film Commission
Price range: $

Making its World Premiere at TIFF, Alex Liu’s debut blends dark comedy, social satire and thriller elements in a sharp exploration of ambition and identity. This New Zealand-Australia co-production introduces a distinctive new voice and showcases emerging New Zealand talent.

New Zealand Production

Feature 2026 Thriller, Comedy 102 minutes

"Unhappy? Need a change?" It's a question, a sales pitch, and perhaps a warning.

When charismatic American salesman Marco (Simon Rex, Red Rocket) arrives in New Zealand promoting a revolutionary cleaning product, he promises ambitious recruits a pathway to wealth, success, and self-belief. For Mafu Kopu (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Predator: Badlands), struggling to make ends meet, the opportunity seems impossible to refuse.

Drawn in by Marco's magnetic charm and uncanny powers of persuasion, Mafu quickly rises through the ranks to become his star protégé. But as the money flows and the promises grow bigger, he finds himself drifting from his Tongan family, his community, and the values that have long grounded him.

A New Generation of Local New Zealand Talent

Spotlight on Director Alex Liu

Writer-director Alex Liu makes his feature debut with God Bless You, Mr Kopu, blending dark comedy, social satire, and thriller elements into a distinctly original vision. The film marks the latest step in the career of one of New Zealand's emerging filmmaking voices, following the success of acclaimed short films including Smog, which won Best Māori and Pasifika Film at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and The Red Room, which premiered internationally at the Overlook Film Festival.

In 2022, Liu was selected for MGM and The Black List's feature screenwriting partnership, placing him alongside emerging screenwriters identified for their distinctive voices and commercial potential, further cementing his reputation as a filmmaker to watch. Known for blending humour, tension and sharp social observation, Liu has developed a distinctive voice that explores identity, culture and contemporary life through unexpected and entertaining stories.

Director Alex Liu

Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi behind the scenes of Predator: Badlands (2025)

Spotlight on Actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

Auckland actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi leads the film as Mafu Kopu, delivering a performance that director Alex Liu developed closely with him over an extended creative process. Liu was drawn to Schuster-Koloamatangi's ability to convey emotion with subtlety and depth, and the pair spent nearly a year refining the character and his place within the story. Their close creative collaboration became central to shaping the film's emotional core and distinctive tone.

Already familiar to audiences through The Panthers and Red, White & Brass, Schuster-Koloamatangi has quickly established himself as one of New Zealand's most exciting emerging screen talents. More recently, he appeared alongside Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands, continuing to build an international profile while remaining connected to New Zealand storytelling. His appearance at TIFF reflects a growing body of work that is attracting attention both at home and abroad.

Spotlight on Producer Roxi Bull

Producer Roxi Bull leads the New Zealand producing team behind God Bless You, Mr Kopu, working alongside Australian producer Tania Chambers to bring the New Zealand-Australia co-production to the screen. The project continues Bull's work on internationally connected productions and reflects a commitment to championing distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling from Aotearoa.

Through projects including the New Zealand-Canadian co-production Holy Days, Bull has helped build pathways between New Zealand filmmakers and international partners. God Bless You, Mr Kopu continues that trajectory, pairing emerging creative talent with global industry opportunities and introducing a uniquely New Zealand story to audiences at one of the world's most influential film festivals.