Daffodils helps Kimbra

The Kiwi singer rises to the challenge of being a newcomer in her first big-screen role, finds James Croot.

Kimbra admits her latest project has had a profound effect on her. The Grammy-winning Kiwi singer says making her big-screen debut in Daffodils was an emotional journey in more ways than one. She plays the key role of Maisie – the daughter of Rose and Eric, whose love story is the central focus of the cinematic adaptation of the hit stage musical.

Although surprised to be approached about the part, the 28-year-old says once she read the script she ‘‘really connected with it’’.

‘‘I guess I saw myself in the character. I remember playing bars like that, trying to get my break and being a teenager trying to understand more about my own family.’’

Deciding that she was up for the challenge (‘‘being a beginner in a new industry was really exciting for me’’), Kimbra was delighted to have the opportunity to ‘‘reconnect with my life as a young girl in New Zealand’’.

The Waikato setting was of course an attraction for the Hamilton-born artist, but shooting in and around the capital early last year also allowed her to explore another aspect of her family roots.

‘‘Wellington is where my parents fell in love, so that was kind of a cool personal time for me being able to explore and reflect on that a little bit more.’’

As those who have seen the stage show will know, Daffodils’ love story is told via a collection of some of New Zealand’s most-beloved pop songs. Lyrics from classic cuts like The Swingers’

Counting the Beat, Crowded House’s Fall at Your Feet and Dave Dobbyn’s Language take on new meaning as they reflect the drama that’s being played out.

When asked if she has a favourite song among those included in the movie version, Kimbra cites The Mint Chicks’ Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!

‘‘I think because I was born in 1990, they were my favourite band growing up.

‘‘I used to go to those post-punk shows in the basements of Hamilton and I’ve wound up being quite good friends with Ruban [Nielson, the band’s guitarist] – so getting to perform that song was really special to me.

‘‘But I also loved Bic Runga [whose Drive provides the soundtrack to a key scene] when I was young and getting to be a part of arranging Anchor

Me [The Muttonbirds’ 1994 anthem] was really special. Plus, I had never developed an emotional connection to [Chris Knox’s] Not Given Lightly, but after this movie I felt very sentimental about that song.’’

She believes that’s a big part of the enduring appeal of movie musicals – an artform that combines two things that can be ‘‘such a big part of people’s lives’’.

‘‘We live a lot of our lives through song. We imagine songs during a break-up with someone we love, imagine songs in our heads when we fall in love, or when we’re going through stressful times or periods of loneliness.

‘‘A lot of the songs in Daffodils are actually like an internal monologue. They are things that you wish you could say that you keep to yourself. I think that’s really interesting to people – and relateable.’’

Kimbra is also keen to point out that Daffodils is a little different from the more traditional Hollywood musicals.

‘‘It is a very joyful film, but it’s also kind of heavy. It has some very intense scenes around