Independent film escapes to sci-fi world
Robots, ray guns, giant lizards and geriatric space pirates all feature in a hilarious sci-fi film by an Auckland father now screening at Starlight Cinema.
This Giant Paper Mache Boulder Is Actually Really Heavy tells of three men who get trapped in a low-budget sci-fi parallel universe, and follows their efforts to escape it.
Director Christian Nicolson pitched the idea to the ‘‘Make My Movie’’ competition five years ago, seeking $100,000.
‘‘We came second, but there was no prize for second place,’’ he said.
Determined to make his film, the professional sculptor sold $30,000 worth of his work to purchase a professional film camera.
After eight months of auditions, Nicolson began filming. He’d told his cast it would a three-month shoot, but it took two years.
The film showed at sci-fi film festivals in Boston and London and won Best Comedy Awards at both. It then won the top award at Manchester’s Starburst Film Festival in August.
The film is now showing at independent theatres across the New Zealand.
‘‘It’s a fun, crazy movie, Lot of locations, weird sets, bizarre costumes.’’