We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.

Cowboys of Culture

Television (Full Length) – 1990

The thing that was maybe unique about that particular film [Pork Pie] is that it was made by an extended family, and there were kids everywhere. That was fortunate for me, because as my character went along I used to watch the kids and copy them and do all the yahoo stuff.
– Kelly Johnson on Goodbye Pork Pie
These are the areas [special effects safety] where a little experience could actually help!
– Sam Neill wryly reflects on close calls during the Sleeping Dogs shoot
What the hell?! Run!
– Bullen (Ian Mune) in Sleeping Dogs
Getting anything going at that stage, getting a feature film going ... was like an impossible task. John O'Shea and all hadn't really done anything in the last 20 years or so up until when we got Sleeping Dogs off the ground. I just had this crazy ambition that we could make some 35mm features in New Zealand ... putting colour stock in the cameras ... you know, we managed to do it.
– Roger Donaldson on getting Sleeping Dogs going
Sleeping Dogs hit Queen St. And Sleeping Dogs was the one that said to the public: 'we're here and we're doing it'. It allowed the government of the day to use the opening night of that movie to announce the formation of the New Zealand Film Commission.
– Ian Mune on the influence of Sleeping Dogs

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for The Sam Neill Collection

The Sam Neill Collection

Actor, director, makes the odd bottle of pinot noir: a...

Collection
Collection image for The Bruno Lawrence Collection

The Bruno Lawrence Collection

This collection celebrates the inimitable performances of...

Collection
Collection image for Kiwi Ingenuity

Kiwi Ingenuity

Embodied in heroes from Pearse to PJ, Kiwi ingenuity is a...

Collection
Collection image for The Geoff Murphy Collection

The Geoff Murphy Collection

This collection pays tribute to filmmaker Geoff Murphy —...

Collection
Collection image for The Roger Donaldson Collection

The Roger Donaldson Collection

A collection devoted to the career of director Roger...

Collection
Collection image for The NZ Film Commission turns 40

The NZ Film Commission turns 40

A collection celebrating 40 years of the NZ Film...

Thumbnail image for The Quiet Earth

The Quiet Earth

This film is discussed and excerpted in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Tank Busters

Tank Busters

This pioneering Acme short is discussed in the doco

Thumbnail image for Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs

Discussed in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Discussed in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Smash Palace

Smash Palace

This film is discussed and excerpted in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Walkshort

Walkshort

Also edited by Bill Toepfer

Thumbnail image for Blerta Revisited

Blerta Revisited

Blerta is featured in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Cinema of Unease - A Personal Journey by Sam Neill

Cinema of Unease - A Personal Journey by Sam Neill

Sam Neill's personal history of NZ filmmaking

Thumbnail image for Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers

More on the 70s renaissance of Kiwi filmmaking

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - Roger Donaldson in Hollywood

Kaleidoscope - Roger Donaldson in Hollywood

Doco about a talented film cowboy

Thumbnail image for Lost in the Garden of the World

Lost in the Garden of the World

More pioneering Kiwi film dreamers

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - NZ Cinema, the Past Decade

Kaleidoscope - NZ Cinema, the Past Decade

Geoff Murphy features in this survey of NZ film

Thumbnail image for American Pie - 1, First Episode

American Pie - 1, First Episode

Geoff Steven TV documentary series about the United States

Thumbnail image for Carmen

Carmen

Another Geoff Steven documentary

Thumbnail image for Wild Man

Wild Man

This picture is discussed in the doco

Thumbnail image for Out of the Mist: An Alternate History of New Zealand Cinema

Out of the Mist: An Alternate History of New Zealand Cinema

Another view of NZ cinema

Thumbnail image for The Making of Sleeping Dogs

The Making of Sleeping Dogs

Behind the scenes on a 1970s Kiwi movie classic

Thumbnail image for Holmes - Roger Donaldson

Holmes - Roger Donaldson

Interview with Roger Donaldson in Queenstown

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - Geoff Murphy and Andrew Brown

Kaleidoscope - Geoff Murphy and Andrew Brown

Director Geoff Murphy discusses promoting Goodbye Pork Pie

Thumbnail image for Cinema

Cinema

A report from early in the NZ film renaissance

Thumbnail image for The Making of Smash Palace

The Making of Smash Palace

Documentary about the making of Smash Palace

Thumbnail image for Barefoot Cinema - The Life and Art of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger

Barefoot Cinema - The Life and Art of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger

More Kiwi film history

Thumbnail image for Runaway Revisited

Runaway Revisited

A look back at a 1964 New Zealand movie

Thumbnail image for Runaway

Runaway

Director John O'Shea talks about his 1964 film Runaway