Lights, cameras, action for Marlborough

An action movie involving a man’s struggle to save his wife in a post-apocalyptic New Zealand will be filmed in Marlborough.

Filming of the ‘‘micro-budget’’ feature is to take place over 18 days in November at a farmland cottage, a forest clearing, and an empty warehouse. The film’s top of the south makers are keen to hear about locations that fit the bill.

The movie, titled Northspur, is centred on a peace-loving man in a violent, post-apocalyptic world who is forced to find lifesaving drugs for his wife. But to get them, he must first help an old man defend his cabin against ‘‘nefarious forces’’.

Award-winning Marlborough director Aaron Falvey said the 90-minute film sparked to life after he and a friend began speculating what would happen if an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) strike occurred in New Zealand.

‘‘We were talking about scenarios, how the filtration of water would stop, and people would run out of power and food,’’ Falvey said.

‘‘Then we were talking about medicine, which a lot of people rely on. After six months, all drugs would run out, and if someone needed drugs badly, someone would have to go out and find drugs to keep the person who needed drugs alive.’’

Nelson-based writer and producer Justin Eade wrote the film’s original screenplay, and most of its crew would hail from the top of the south, he said.

The title, Northspur, is the name of the fictional New Zealand town where the film took place.

Several well-known New Zealand actors were set to be cast in the film, but Falvey said he could not share who these were, as contracts had not been signed.

It was hoped the ‘‘microbudget’’ feature would be made for less than $150,000, he said.

While much of the funds would cover actor salaries, the film would still inject economy into Marlborough, as all goods and services would be sourced from the region.

This included building supplies, food catering and accommodation, he said.

‘‘I’m really excited about the opportunity it presents to the community in Marlborough. It’s something different, and not something we’ve seen before. Movies like this often happen in big city centres,’’ he said.

Falvey urged anyone interested in volunteering their farmland cottage, forest clearing or empty warehouse to the project to email him at aaronjfalvey@gmail.com.

He also welcomed any support from accommodation providers, and catering services.

SCOTT HAMMOND/ STUFF Marlborough director Aaron Falvey says his new film ’Northspur’ is set in a postapocalyptic world.