New Zealand / Australian Films

**A face** · 28/02/2011, 9:44 PM

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake's daughter has her own serious problems which are a key element in the plot.

Any more?

**paul_oshea** · 04/03/2011, 11:06 AM

What about the one about the serial killer? I thought it was decent.

Animal kingdom.

Good title though always films that are underground that people don't hear of worth seeing.

**SkStu** · 05/03/2011, 3:15 AM

Chopper is the film your thinking of Paul.

Muriels Wedding, Romper Stomper + Broken English (NZ) are a few more that i have really enjoyed.

**paul_oshea** · 05/03/2011, 8:17 AM

skinheads skinheads looking for a fight. russel crowe was in that wasn't he. weird but decent alright.

I thought muriels wedding was terrible, but maybe i was a bit young to appreciate it when i saw it.

Ya thats the film.

**bennocelt** · 05/03/2011, 9:37 AM

Mustn't forget the classic - Gallipoli by Peter Weir starring Mel Gibson. Great movie, some of the scenes of Australia are awesome. Sad story though

**Lev Yashin** · 05/03/2011, 10:24 AM

I really enjoyed this one...Wolf Creek.

I'd say it did some damage to the tourist industry though.

I have also acquired this one but haven't watched it yet

**the 12 th man** · 05/03/2011, 12:57 PM

"Storage"

Top notch Australian thriller,young guy goes to work for his uncle in a storage facility which has a couple of unusual customers.

http://www.storagethemovie.com/

**old git** · 05/03/2011, 3:10 PM

Mad Max the original and best ... happy feet (the dancing penquin) had to watch with the kids

crocodile dundee .. would lord of the rings trilogy pass for new zealand film as part funded & produced in new zealand

**SkStu** · 05/03/2011, 5:31 PM

im not sure OG - i would say no, that it wouldnt count.

I think you need to have an array of local acting talent or a local director for it to be characterised as a country's film.

Broken English is a NZ movie with a focus on Croatian immigrants. I know the Croat community i hang out with look at it as a croatian film. It is a NZ film though with mostly NZ born actors. So maybe the lines can be blurred...

I dunno.

**A face** · 07/03/2011, 1:37 PM

La Spagnola was a great film as well, set in Australia

I'm trying to remember the name of film, set in Ned Kelly times about two Irish brothers being chased by English police force at the time. Its fairly gruesome in parts but its a really good film.

Edit: Its The Proposition - imdb

**ken foree** · 07/03/2011, 5:30 PM

here are a few, a bit of offbeat post-apocalyptic sci-fi/horror:

peter weir's "the last wave":

"the quiet earth" (major spoilers in trailer):

and of course peter jackson's (lord of the rings) first AND BEST movie, "bad taste":

**Closed Account 2** · 16/03/2011, 11:05 AM

Saw this while I was out there last month, pretty decent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_and_Max

**SaucyJack** · 16/03/2011, 12:32 PM

"Picnic at hanging rock", another Peter Weir film is worth a look.

**McNasara** · 27/01/2014, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by A face

I'm trying to remember the name of film, set in Ned Kelly times about two Irish brothers being chased by English police force at the time. Its fairly gruesome in parts but its a really good film.

Edit: Its The Proposition - imdb

I have to check this when I saw that Nick Cave is a screenwriter of the film.