Fantail

Tania (Sophie Henderson) identifies as Māori, despite being blue-eyed and white. She works long shifts at a petrol station in the hope of taking her brother Pi to Australia, to find their Dad. In this excerpt, Tania's fearless "extreme sports athlete" boss (Jarod Rawiri) struggles after downing multiple cans of V. Henderson's script was born as a drama school project. Her partner Curtis Vowell made the movie in 20 days, via the NZ Film Commission’s low budget fund Escalator. Critics raved: NZ Herald critic Dominic Corry found the twist on the Hine-nui-te-po myth "one of the freshest New Zealand films to come along in years". 

Fresh, appealing characters written with insight and affection ... It’s funny and dark and sad, and I predict this local low-budgeter will connect with an enthusiastic audience.

– Listener critic Helene Wong in a list of her top five picks at the 2013 NZ International Film Festival

Key Cast & Crew

Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper

Composer

Jarod Rawiri

As: Dean

Sophie Henderson

Writer, As: Tania

Vinnie Bennett

As: Bigman

Stephen Lovatt

As: Rog

Jahalis Ngamotu

As: Pi