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Profile image for Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett

Director, Writer [Te Arawa]

Starring one cow and two elderly guitarists, Michael Bennett's first short film Cow was invited to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then he has written and/or directed a wide range of projects, from children's television (Kaitangata Twitch) to award-winning looks at Māori architecture (Whare Māori) and injustice. His big screen work includes ensemble feature Matariki, and the script for Cliff Curtis movie Jubilee

In my head, writing and directing are two words for the same thing. As a writer every scene I work on plays as a movie projected inside my head. As a director I love the power of the image, but the most beautiful and perfect image is just pretty candyfloss if it’s not serving the story and the development of the characters. Michael Bennett in an interview with the New Zealand Writers Guild, November 2010

Thumbnail image for Michael Bennett: On writing, directing and cow whispering...
Interview

Michael Bennett: On writing, directing and cow whispering...

Interview, 2011

Thumbnail image for The Convert

The Convert

2023, Screen Story - Film

Thumbnail image for Te Araroa: Tales from the Trails - First Episode

Te Araroa: Tales from the Trails - First Episode

2015, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Happy Hour - First Episode

Happy Hour - First Episode

2014, Head Writer - Television

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Ross & Beth

2014, Executive Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Confessions of Prisoner 'T'

The Confessions of Prisoner 'T'

2013, Director, Writer, Producer - Television

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The Factory

2013, Writer, Associate Producer - Web

Thumbnail image for The Factory - Series

The Factory - Series

2013, Devisor, Writer, Associate Producer - Web

Thumbnail image for The Prophets - Episode Two

The Prophets - Episode Two

2013, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Prophets - First Episode

The Prophets - First Episode

2013, Writer - Television

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Night Shift

2012, Executive Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Whare Māori - Kainga/The Village (First Episode)

Whare Māori - Kainga/The Village (First Episode)

2011, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Whare Māori - The Wharenui (Episode Two)

Whare Māori - The Wharenui (Episode Two)

2011, Director - Television

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Matariki

2010, Writer, Director - Film

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Kaitangata Twitch

2010, Writer - Television

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Taonga

2005, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Maddigan's Quest

Maddigan's Quest

2005, Writer - Television

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Outrageous Fortune

2005 - 2010, Writer, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Taonga: Til Death Do Us Part

Taonga: Til Death Do Us Part

2005, Director, Script Editor - Television

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The Pretender

2005 - 2008, Director - Television

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Egg and Bomb

2004, Writer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Gladiator: the Norm Hewitt story

Gladiator: the Norm Hewitt story

2004, Director - Television

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Kerosene Creek

2004, Director, Writer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Good Hands - Lima Lelei  - First Episode

Good Hands - Lima Lelei - First Episode

2003, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for P.E.T. Detectives

P.E.T. Detectives

2003 - 2005, Creator, Writer, Associate Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Good Hands - Lima Lelei

Good Hands - Lima Lelei

2003, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for P.E.T. Detectives - First Episode

P.E.T. Detectives - First Episode

2003, Creator, Writer, Associate Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for Mataku - The Fishing Trip (Te Hi Ika)

Mataku - The Fishing Trip (Te Hi Ika)

2002, Script Editor - Television

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Mataku

2001 - 2005, Writer, Director - Television

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Cow

2001, Director, Writer - Short Film

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Mercy Peak

2001 - 2003, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Fish Skin Suit

Fish Skin Suit

2000, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for Jubilee

Jubilee

2000, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Street Legal

Street Legal

2000 - 2005, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Cover Story

Cover Story

1995 - 1996, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Skitz

Skitz

1993, Writer - Television