Be Entertained!
Hitting the big screen this week, TheLegendof
BaronTo’a is an action-packed act Kiwi flick that t tha tells the story of Tongan businessman Fritz, played by Alien:Covenant star Uli Latukefu, who’s on a mission to reclaim his family’s honour.
When Fritz moves back to his childhood neighbourhood, once under the protection of his legendary wrestling father Baron To’a, he discovers it has been taken over by gangs g and petty crime. When his dad’s prized wrestling belt goes missing, the chiselled Fritz must fight to reclaim what is rightfully his and take back the power the infamous Baron fought so hard to keep.
With a stellar cast including Jay Laga’aia, Nathaniel Lees, Shavaughn Ruakere and John Tui, it’s a must-see. Former ShortlandStreet star Shavaughn gives us some more insights ...
What are some of your highlights fromfilming?
I had a really happy time working on this film. The story and people who made it are
great. Plus, career highlight here – I got a trailer! OK, it was more like a really flash van, but it had a fridge and a table, and as the production went along it seemed to become the storage space for anything superfluous. But I didn’t care because I got a trailer!
What was different about this film compared to some of the other work you’ ve beeninvolvedin?
This has been the biggest role I’ve had in a feature film so far. In the other ones you could have blinked and missed me! Film is such a different beast from television as well. Everything’s bigger – including my face on a cinema screen!
WHAt influenced the portray al ofy our character?
To be honest, her hair! I wore a clip-in fringe and it really made me feel different. My character is called Renee and in the make-up truck we called my fringe, “The Renee”. I’m secretly hoping it’ll become as iconic as “The Rachel” hairdo from Friends.
WHAt was it like working with such a star-studded and local cast?
Wonderful! Everyone got along really well. The core cast are all Maori or Pasifika, which felt really special.
HOw do you think the film will be received locally or even internationally?
From the get-go I’ve had a really good feeling about this movie. I think it’ll appeal to loads of people. It’s got all the essentials – action, drama, humour, a muscly leading man (thank me later, ladies) and heart, lots of heart.
WHAt are some of the challenges involved in acting?
Acting is a tough gig. There aren’t a tonne of opportunities and there are so many variables when it comes to actually getting a part. Finding a way to deal with that can be pretty challenging. I think you really need to love it. It’s that love that’ll keep you going.
WHAt would you say to your fans?
Yeah, we all know going to the movies these days can be a bit of an expensive venture. Supporting a local movie like this means so much to all of us who make them. So if you go, thank you, ka pai and get ready – it’s a good one!
Studio Ghibli fans rejoice! This year, all of the filmsfrom Hayao Miyazaki’s legendary are animation studio coming to Netflix. the Take a look at first batchavailable ... to watch now
CASTLEINTHESKY
Released R in 1986, this was Studio Ghibli’s G first film. An orphan boy discovers d a girl with a mysterious pendant p that unlocks an ancient castle c in the clouds. They search for f the castle, but danger follows them at every turn.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOT OR O
The cuddly character Totoro has become an icon in his own right and is the symbol of Studio Ghibli. This is a sweet story of two young children who move to be closer to their sick mother and befriend Totoro and his fellow wood spirits.
KIKI’ S DELIVERY SERVICE
If you’re looking for a little girl power, check out Kiki and her adventures as a trainee witch. At 13, she flies off on her broomstick, accompanied by her chatty cat Jiji, to lend her witchy services to the citizens of Koriko.
ONLYYESTERDAY
This film was Japan’s highestgrossing film in 1991. Taeko heads to the country for a break from city life, where she reflects on her childhood and begins to wrestle with her life choices.
PORCOROSSO
The English dubbing is worth it to hear Michael Keaton voice as the porky hero in one of Miyazaki’s more absurd flicks. A World War I pilot is transformed by a curse into a pig who now works as a bounty hunter battling sky pirates.
OCEANWAVES
Because it was a made-for-TV movie, some do not consider this flick to be part of the official Studio Ghibli filmography, but the soapy romance – featuring a high-school love triangle – is still worth a watch.
TALES FROM EARTH SEA
After originally turning down requests from the animation studio, author Ursula K. Le Guin was so impressed by SpiritedAway that she allowed Miyazaki to adapt her Earthsea novel series.