We don’t often get to celebrate New Zealand cinematic achievements in actual cinemas. The last big screen anniversary I recall was for 25 years of Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tail Tale back in 2011.
But this weekend cinema audiences can come together to watch a newly remastered version of a film that the nation absolutely loves – Taika Waititi’s 2016 comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople, featuring Sir Sam Neill and global megastar Julian Dennison.
I reviewed it for RNZ back in the days when we were making little videos and also – astonishingly – live on Morning Report. It was that big a deal.
Again, check out my remarkable ability to predict the future:
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is destined to be a Kiwi classic. Waititi’s Boy still holds the record for the highest grossing local film, but this new one should threaten that record. I can’t imagine any New Zealander who won’t appreciate the humour, the pathos and the nostalgia of a truly local film.
For screening times, here are the listings on Flicks. If you aren’t able to get to one of those (or perhaps have the misfortune of living overseas), streaming options can be found below.
Editor’s note
Apologies to newsletter subscribers for the giant movie poster illustrations in the new releases edition. I want them to be smaller – closer to how they appear here – but I don’t know how to do that with Buttondown yet.
Also, tomorrow is the start of Easter weekend and I’ll be taking a break from posting until the working week starts again next Tuesday. I will be appearing on RNZ Nights tonight at about 8.40 to talk about Wilderpeople and its impact, Bi Gan’s amazing Resurrection and another local film that made good use of the singular talents of Rima Te Wiata, Housebound on Māori+.
Where to watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Aotearoa: Digital rental from Google only
Australia: Streaming on Netflix
Canada: Digital rental
Ireland: Digital rental
India: Streaming on the Sony Pictures Amazon channel
USA: Streaming on Fubo or Tubi (free with ads)
UK: Streaming on MGM+
