How local star of Taranaki-shot movie showcased province
When 13-year-old Reuben Francis was tasked with showing off his home town Ngāmotu/new Plymouth to his co-stars from the movie The Mountain, the first place he took his underage buddies was the pub.
“We went to Shining Peak Brewery and had food there,” the Spotswood College student said.
“We also went swimming at Oakura and had pizza at Black Sands, went to Fitzroy Beach, and most of the time in Taranaki we were rehearsing lines so we saw each other a lot.”
The Mountain, shot around Taranaki, is the directorial debut from New Zealand actor Rachel House ( Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Kāi Tahu), who has been an idol of Reuben for a while.
It’s a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga.
“They’ve had a little bit of strife with their parents. They all have a bit of a problem,” Reuben said.
Sam, a fearless young girl raised outside of her Māori culture, is determined to fulfil her mission of connecting with her mountain in the hope they can heal her from the cancer she battles.
Along the way she meets some misfits and new kids in town, Mallory, played by Reuben, and Bronco.
The film also features the acting debuts of Reuben’s child co-stars Elizabeth Atkinson (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Kāi Tahu) and Terence Daniel (Ngāti Kahungunu, Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Kuki Airani – Aitutaki)
They are joined by Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-apanui) who was in Muru, Byron Coll from Nude Tuesday, Fern Sutherland who was in Brokenwood Mysteries and Sukena Shah.
Reuben has been in a drama class with Holly Shanahan, who is also his agent, for two years.
“She sends me through auditions and I was lucky enough to get this one.
“I was flabbergasted, it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind.”
The movie was filmed at the beginning of 2023 with 80% being shot in Taranaki.
The Mountain will premiere at TSB Showplace tomorrow before opening around Aotearoa on March 28.
Francis said he would be attending the premiere with 50 friends and family. “I got a little bit too excited with the tickets.”
He said he loved acting and planned to continue down the showbiz path, but with “back up jobs”, such as an architect or something local that paid well.
“The experience was unreal, I don’t think I’ll ever get over realising I’m in a movie.”