Principal photography is underway on the coming-of-age film One Winter featuring a cast led by Julian Dennison and Minnie Driver. Blue Fox Entertainment will present first footage to buyers at the AFM.
Rhys Darby (Yes Man, Flight Of The Conchords), James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) and Erana James (The Changeover, The Wilds) round out the key cast on the story set in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 1981 as the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against Apartheid.
Dennison (Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Godzilla v Kong) plays Josh Waaka, a 17-year-old who after being a passive bystander all of his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself, his family and his future. Driver’s credits include Circle Of Friends and Good Will Hunting.
Paul Middleditch (Separation City) and Hamish Bennett (Bellbird) are directing from a screenplay by Bennett. Producers are Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi and Angela Cudd, with Troy Lum on board as executive producer.
One Winter is currently shooting in Auckland and Dunedin in consultation with the tribal councils from Puketeraki and Ōtākou. Stacey Morrison has provided cultural guidance.
“One Winter is a story of hope, courage and standing up for what one believes is right,” said Middleditch and Bennett. “It has been incredible to have such a stellar cast join us for this project and we have been blown away with what they have brought to the story.”
Lisa Gutberlet, head of international for Blue Fox, added: ”We are excited and honoured to work with the One Winter team to bring this uplifting film to the international marketplace and ensure it reaches the audience it deserves. One Winter has the potential to be as appealing and entertaining as films such as Coda, Billy Elliot, The Sapphires, and Dark Horse that tell unique coming-of-age stories in multi-cultural settings and we believe that global audiences will be moved by this incredibly resonant and universal story that will transcend cultures. “
The project is being made with investment from New Zealand Film Commission (Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga) and the New Zealand government’s Screen Production Grant, with financing from Kiwibank. Blue Fox Entertainment represents worldwide sales and Kismet will distribute in Australia and New Zealand.
Blue Fox Entertainment’s recent international sales titles include YA thriller Jane with Madelaine Petsch and Chloe Bailey; comedy Linoleum with Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn; and Sahar Mosayebi’s Orca.
The company recently launched Blue Fox Financing, a transactional digital platform to streamline film financing opportunities for the entertainment industry, connecting borrowers with the largest database of film and television lenders and equity financiers.
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