Julian Dennison Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Julian Dennison Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Cast: Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rima Te Wiata
Director: Taika Waititi
Rated: PG
Running Time: 101 minutes

Synopsis: In and out of foster care his whole life, rebellious 13-year-old Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) is delivered,by Paula from Social Welfare, into the hands of his new foster -Aunt' Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and -Uncle' Hec (Sam Neill) who live in a remote part of New Zealand. Convinced this is just another family who will give up caring and ship him on to the next home, Ricky is surprised when he senses that Aunty Bella actually loves him, even if Uncle Hec is a little harder to get on with. For his birthday, Ricky gets a new dog and for the first time starts to experience real happiness. But his contentment is short-lived; Aunt Bella dies, and Ricky's future is suddenly uncertain once again. Not trusting Hec's ability to parent on his own, the Social Welfare Department want to relocate Ricky, and Hec isn't inclined to stop them. However, he is left with no choice but to follow when Ricky disappears into the one million hectares of dense native bush behind the house.

When Hec eventually finds Ricky, starving and completely out of his element, the two argue over Ricky's future. There's no way that Hec wants to look after a fat city kid who can't fend for himself. But as they make their way out of the bush, things turn pear-shaped when Hec twists his ankle. The pair make a campsite to stay in while Hec recuperates, and over the following weeks Ricky learns how to survive in the rugged Kiwi bush, while Hec warms to the boy he once couldn't stand. Stopping off at a ranger hut for a night on their journey home, the pair discover a news article claiming Hec has kidnapped Ricky, and when hunters unexpectedly stumble across them, they threaten to take Hec into custody for the crime. Ricky and Hec make their escape back into the wild New Zealand bush, Hec reveals his criminal history and Ricky begs him not to turn him in. The two outsiders decide to go on the run together as a national manhunt ensues lead by social workers, Paula, hell bent on getting Ricky back.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Release Date: May 26th, 2016

About The Production

Writer and director Taika Waititi first came in contact with the Hunt for the Wilderpeople project in 2005, when executive producer Charlie McClellan employed the then 'writer for hire" Waititi to adapt the Barry Crump classic -Wild Pork and Watercress' into a feature film script. Jumping at the chance, Taika Waititi delivered a script to Charlie McClellan for the ambitious project, which ultimately stayed shelved for years. But in 2013, a meeting with the Barry Crump family put the rights for a film version of the book back on the table and rekindled Taika Waititi's fire for the project.

'I've always been attracted to stories of the outsider, the rebel, those who live in the margins," says Taika Waititi. 'I love the way this story takes two outsiders from different backgrounds, an odd couple of two loners, forced to work together in a quest to stand independent and free of society's unfair regulations. Whether they're justified in their mission isn't important - the mere fact they're trying to fight for something is why the story stayed with me."

Taika Waititi formed a bond with Barry Crump's son, Martin Crump, and gained the Marin Crump family's blessing to tell the story on screen. He resurrected the script, bringing it for workshop to the newly formed production company Piki Films. Meaning to -ascend or climb' in Maori, Piki Films brought together a selection of New Zealand's most influential and talented playwrights to workshop the script. Piki Films formed by Waititi, and respected producers Carthew Neal and Leanne Saunders, set their sights on getting finance for the project.

'The link between Barry Crump and Taika Waititi work isn't immediately obvious however when you read the book you realise they share a sense of humour and love of the renegade." says Sam Neal. 'Taika Waititi's script charmed everyone with its seamless play between humour and pathos."

Taika Waititi always had 13-year-old Julian Dennison in mind for Ricky Baker, after working on a commercial with him.

When it came to cantankerous Uncle Hec, Taika Waititi was clear that the actor needed to whole-heartedly personify the character of a hard, no-nonsense bushman. With this brief in mind, Taika Waititi approached legendary Kiwi actor Sam Neill.

'Sam Neill is a national treasure and I wanted to put that national treasure in a swannie and scruff up his hair," says Taika Waititi. 'He has a wealth of experience and really knows his craft which, especially when you're working with kids, means you don't have to worry about him. Because he was so reliable and professional it freed me up to concentrate on Julian Dennison."

Sam Neill is quick to point out he needed no convincing to take the role.

'There are a handful of directors who can call you up and say they have a film they would like you to do and can they send you a script, but you say, -No, don't send me the script, I'll just do it'," says Sam Neill. 'For me, Taika Waititi is in that department. It's a great privilege to work with him."

Stu Turner of Catch Casting worked with Taika Waititi on casting the rest of the film. 'Taika believes in finding the character through the process of casting rather than having a fixed, pre-conceived vision," says Stu Turner. 'This gave us the freedom to explore and play, which ultimately lead us to secure this stellar cast.

Superstars and stalwarts of the New Zealand acting world, including Rhys Darby, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley and Rima Te Wiata, were selected to play pivotal support roles in the film, and all were excited about the chance to work with Taika Waititi. 'I would drop my hat to work with Taika," says Rhys Darby. 'The chance to come home and do a comedy with him is just sublime."

When it came to casting the role of Kahu, a young Maori girl who appears in the wild bush to help Ricky when Hec is injured, Waititi and Turner decided to cast the net wide. They issued a nationwide casting call, scouring the country for the right young girl to play the role.

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, 16, of Gisborne was selected from hundreds of hopeful applicants.

'I don't know what made her different to the others but we were all drawn to her charm and disarming personality," says Taika Waititi. 'There's a real depth to what she was does that makes the simplest actions very interesting.

The film was shot across a five-week period in the New Zealand winter months of May and June 2015 in a variety of stunning locations across New Zealand, including Piha, Karekare, Bethells Beach, Horopito, and the Kaimanawa Plains.

'The wild New Zealand bush is a key character in this film, and it was important this was represented well," says producer Leanne Saunders. 'The film celebrates our kiwi survival skills and hopefully will encourage New Zealanders to get out into the bush." The 60 strong crew worked tirelessly in sometimes challenging conditions across the shooting of the feature. Variable weather conditions including snow, high winds and remote locations meant the crew had to demonstrate their nimbleness and ability to adapt quickly. Assistance and on ground support from the New Zealand Army alongside local iwi (tribe) Ngati Rangi allowed the ambitious picture to be completed within schedule.

'The way the team worked together in sometimes trying conditions was a real credit to the New Zealand film industry," says Sam Neal. 'An NZ Army Sargent remarked during the shoot that the way the crew worked together was on par to any other Army unit he had seen, Ill take that as a compliment"

'Special credit deserves to go to Taika," adds Sam Neal. 'Taika's resourcefulness allowed us to make the schedule work and his ability to bring the team together is second to none. He is a pleasure to work with."

Ahead of its New Zealand release, the film has received the prestigious honour of being selected to show at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where Taika Waititi is a festival regular. The film will screen in the Premieres category, and is sure to be a crowd favourite. In New Zealand, Hunt for the Wilderpeople will open for a nationwide cinema run in March 2016.

Waititi is looking forward to showing the finished product to audiences. 'It's been a long time since the classic Kiwi adventure films of Goodbye Pork Pie, Came a Hot Friday, and Shaker Run, and personally I think that's what we're missing in today's New Zealand cinema - a bit of good old-fashioned fun with some regular renegades," says Taika Waititi. 'I think it's high time we celebrated this tradition with a classic yarn by the greatest spinner of them all, Barry Crump."
Director's Vision – Taika Waititi

I first fell in love with this idea in 2005. The story took on many changes and evolutions over the years, and I've made three features in that time.

This story has a deeply New Zealand quality that I think will resonate with international viewers with its unique rural flavour. There is no place like New Zealand and no people like those who live on, within, and from the land. It is the romanticism of the dense and mystical New Zealand bush mixed with the outlaw appeal of our rebellious and rugged heroes that promises an adventure filled with down home guts and humour. It is truly a story of survival, kinship, hunts and manhunters, with a good old car chase thrown in for good measure.

I've always been attracted to stories of the outsider, the rebel, those who live in the margins. I love the way this story takes two outsiders from different backgrounds, an odd couple of two loners forced to work together in a quest to stand independent and free of society's unfair regulations. Whether they're justified in their mission isn't important, the mere fact they're fighting for something as simple as freedom is what appeals. In a world of apathy, where 'sheeple" stand for causes on Facebook rather than taking to the streets, these characters are throwbacks to the NZ heroes of old; those fighters and survivors upon whose blood, sweat and tears this country was built. We root for them because they're giving it a go, they're fighting the good fight. It's these two outsider characters, Hec and Ricky, who will be our guides in this world. There's a great difference between these characters: Old meets new, age meets youth, bush meets city, Pakeha meets Maori, and wisdom meets instinct. At the end of the film we'll have gone on a journey of mutual respect, dedication, and understanding.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Release Date: May 26th, 2016