MANILA, Philippines - While New Zealand may primarily be known as the setting of the Lord of the Rings franchise and having tons of sheep (and maybe Flight of the Conchords), one look at the lineup of the first-ever New Zealand Film Festival is enough to make you more curious about the land even farther Down Under.
The film fest’s buffet of full-length and short films wonderfully displays the diversity of New Zealandic society. Sione’s Wedding is a comedic endeavor set in Auckland about a group of Samoan men whose childish antics relegate their maturity to adolescence. Highlighting the aboriginal Maori is the film Whale Rider about a young girl who chooses to be her own destiny instead of simply waiting for it to happen to her.
Inarguably the festival’s highlight is Boy, the award-winning film by Taika Waititi. The eponymous character worships Michael Jackson almost as much as he adores his estranged dad, but when his father returns, Boy discovers the dichotomy of reality versus expectations. It’s a touching tale of family, first love and growing up no matter how much it hurts.
Despite its idyllic charms, one can see through is colorful films and rich cinematic culture that New Zealand has a lot more to offer the world besides rich sceneries and profitable livestock.
The first New Zealand Film Festival, a joint effort of the Embassy of New Zealand in the Philippines and Shangri-La Plaza, is from Feb. 23 to 28 at the Shang Cineplex. Admission is free.