Sundance Festival selection testament to quality of New Zealand crews

New Zealand’s film crews should be taking a bow for the role they have played in helping two international movies make the prestigious Sundance Festival.

Slow West will screen alongside 11 films from emerging filmmaking talents around the world and Z for Zachariah amongst the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films.

Both films were New Zealand-crewed and were shot in New Zealand’s South Island on locations in Twizel and Banks Peninsula.

Slow West was directed by John Maclean and the cast includes Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, Shame). Z for Zachariah, directed by Craig Zobel (Compliance, Great World of Sound), stars Chris Pine (Star Trek Into Darkness), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street) and BAFTA Award winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave).

Film New Zealand’s CE Gisella Carr says that great film production comes from great collaboration. Along with The Hobbit, these films are testament to the quality and range of New Zealand’s screen production expertise.

“There is a clear message here to overseas filmmakers: you will want to have New Zealanders working on your productions.”

Z for Zachariah’s New Zealand line producer Murray Francis said that every one of the nine overseas producers involved praised the quality of the crew.

Zachariah director Craig Zobel says, "The level of talent in the filmmaking team for our production was unmatched. I'm now proud to think of many New Zealand technicians as friends, and hope to make more movies with them."

Skuli Malmquist, producer, says, "Having shot films in Europe, the US and the Caribbean I have to admit that never has a crew gelled so quickly as it did in New Zealand.  It was like we had been working together for years on day one. I wish I could shoot a film every year in New Zealand.  With the new rebate system, I now read each book and script asking myself if it could be shot in New Zealand."

Steve Bannatyne, executive producer, says, "I completely and utterly respect the skill, passion and commitment of the Z for Zachariah crew. We were welcomed with open arms by the New Zealand film community and quickly realized we were in good and talented hands. Over seven weeks on the Banks Peninsula we came together and bonded like a family. Friendships were made that will last a lifetime and a film was made that we can all be proud of." 

Others in the US production industry agree. Ralph Winter, producer (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) says of his experience in Auckland executive-producing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny, “These are the best crews in the world, ‘A’ class. No doubts.”

US producer Jim Dyer (Yogi Bear, The Italian Job) worked in New Zealand recently and says, “New Zealand crews are extremely professional and very resourceful. My experience there has always been super positive. Can't wait to get back there!”