Production is underway in Auckland for Piki Films’ new feature film, Baby, Done staring Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Rose Matafeo (The Breaker Upperers, Funny Girls) and English actor Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, Me Before You).
From the production house behind Kiwi box office hits Hunt for the Wilderpeople and The Breaker Upperers, Baby, Done follows the story of Zoe (Rose Matafeo), a tree surgeon who becomes pregnant to her long-term boyfriend Tim (Matthew Lewis) and subsequently freaks out – comically trying to rush through her dreams before she turns into a mum.
Written by actress Sophie Henderson (Human Traces, Fantail) and directed by Curtis Vowell (Fantail), Baby, Done is the married duo’s s semi-autobiographical story inspired by their own reaction to starting a family.
Baby, Done is the couple’s second feature together after their critically acclaimed film, Fantail which won over audiences both at home and internationally, winning a People’s Choice Award at Melbourne International Film Festival.
“I’m super excited to be in a legit movie,” says Matafeo. “I failed NCEA level 3 drama, so this is a big win for me personally. I’ve known and admired Sophie and Curtis since I was a little teen fan of the Auckland creative scene and it’s a dream to be working with them, plus it’s so nice to have to an excuse to come back to New Zealand so I can open all the mail my Nan has been saving for me.”
Matafeo’s co-star Matthew Lewis added, “I’m really thrilled to be involved with this project. I fell in love with the script immediately and the team of creatives behind it. I’m also a big fan of Rose and her work and so to be opposite her shooting in beautiful New Zealand will be a privilege and I’m looking forward to bringing this story to life.”
Director Curtis Vowell commented, “Sophie and I are over the moon to be working with Rose and Matthew – they are hilarious together and their chemistry is electric. We’re already having a lot of fun making it and can’t wait to deliver it to the world.”
Baby, Done will be produced by Morgan Waru. Taika Waititi (Thor Ragnarok, What We Do In The Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Carthew Neal (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Breaker Upperers, Tickled) are executive producers.
Baby, Done will be made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission, Wallace Productions Limited and Department of Post. The film will be distributed in New Zealand by Madman and Piki and in Australia by Madman in 2020.
Photo Credit: Kirsty Griffin