Our Top 5 NZIFF Film Picks

Town Square
Jul 24, 2017 · 4 min read

The New Zealand International Film Festival is about to start, and with so many fantastic options it can be hard to decide what to watch. Here are SQUARE’s top picks, with something to suit all tastes.

Marjorie Prime

A movie set in the not-so-distant future, Marjorie Prime explores what happens when loved ones pass away, and what could happen if we could recreate them as holograms. A study in human nature, this film approaches the topics of aging and death from many perspectives. Showing evenings at the Embassy Theatre. Find showings.

“In Marjorie Prime’s not-too-distant future, dementia has not yet been cured, though holographic companions are a household appliance. An 80-something widow, played achingly by veteran actor Lois Smith, has one cast in the image of her husband when he was still in his 40s (and as handsome as Jon Hamm). But as this wise, wistful film explores, these machines are far from adequate replacements for loved ones passed on, capable only of absorbing stories from the past and reflecting them back to their owners.”

Blade of the Immortal

Based on a popular manga series, Blade of the Immortal involves supernatural powers, political intrigue and plenty of epic battles with impressive levels of bloodshed. Find showings.

“Mega idol Kimura Takuya stars as Manji, whose sister is viciously killed by bounty hunters. After dispatching the scum, a mysterious nun uses blood worms to work their magic on Manji’s veins and meaty bits. Years later he is hired as a bodyguard for Rin (Sugisaki Hana), whose kendo-master father and pupils were slaughtered by the swordsmen of Itto-ryu. Together they make an odd couple, especially as Rin looks uncannily like Manji’s dead sister.”

I am not a Witch

This film explores modern day ‘witchcraft’ against the background of themes such as child labour, superstition — and how if told something your whole life, you might start to believe it yourself. Find showings.

“In Zambian-born, Welsh-raised director Rungano Nyoni’s surreal tale, a nine-year-old village girl is accused of witchcraft and hauled off to do witch’s work. Her only transgression has been her lack of affect, but soon she’s identifying the culprit in a line-up of suspects, bringing on the rain, or, when there’s nothing more profitable available, posing for tourists. Though accusing someone of witchcraft is illegal in Zambia, Nyoni’s tale is based on continuing practices she observed herself, living for a month in a witch’s camp. The awfulness of her story is leavened by the merciless satirical eye she trains on superstition’s perpetrators — the men who put the women to work.”

A Date for Mad Mary

This Irish romcom is a lighthearted addition to the film festival and has proven popular, with 2 of 5 showings already sold out. Find showings.

“Seána Kerslake is completely winning as the larrikin Mary out to prove she’s not a loser in this funny, soulful Irish romcom. While Mary’s been doing time for a spontaneous gesture she’d rather forget, her best girlfriend Charlene has disappeared, heart and soul, into wedding planning land. Mary gets out of jail in time for the big day, bridesmaid’s speech at the ready. But, oops, Charlene is wavering on having her wild and crazy old mate at the top table and has cut her back to a single invite.”

Swallows and Amazons

This British film is based on the pre-war novels by Arthur Ransome, and is recommended for ages 9+. A great tale of adventure and imagination. Find showings.

“The four Walker children have finally convinced their parents to let them set off on their own for a sailing adventure during summer vacation. Their summer of freedom quickly turns into a fierce turf war when they learn their island camp has been claimed by the boisterous Amazons, and find themselves caught in the midst of some nefarious international intrigue that’s landed in their sleepy byways.”


These are only a few of the many different films on at the NZIFF. You can also watch a film set in the Inuit world, one about an aspiring New Jersey rapper, a moving film about fitting in as an indigenous girl in Sweden, or a modern-day movie focused on artists in China.

If you just want to see what’s on, search for “NZIFF”on SQUARE. Happy watching!

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