The full length feature trailer for Rachel House’s (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Kāi Tahu) directorial debut, The Mountain has been released today ahead of the film’s nationwide release on 28th March.
Following on from a previously released teaser trailer, the clip offers a greater glimpse at the soulful and humorous story penned by House and Tom Furniss.
Audiences have responded in their droves to the teaser trailer, with online comments such as: “This film is making me nostalgic”, “My heart is bursting”, “I'm grinning like a big kid and can't wait to see this”, and ‘“this film looks like everything I need”.
The Mountain is a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain) and discover friendship in the spirit of adventure.
Director Rachel House commented: “I reckon friendship can see you through just about anything and that’s what our perfectly flawed trio of misfits discover.”
Sam, a fearless young girl raised outside of her Māori culture, is determined to fulfill 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, hoping to find friends, any kind of friends - and Bronco who claims to be a runaway from his dad who is too busy to notice him. As they make their way through the difficult “off the beaten track” route, they learn the true spirit of adventure and the magic of friendship.
The Mountain is the acting debuts of three children, Elizabeth Atkinson (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Kāi Tahu), Reuben Francis, and Terence Daniel (Ngāti Kahungunu, Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Kuki Airani – Aitutaki) in the leading roles.
They are joined by Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) (Muru), Byron Coll (Nude Tuesday), Fern Sutherland (Brokenwood Mysteries), and Sukena Shah.
The film is made with funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant (re-named Rebate), NZ On Air, Whaakata Māori, Department of Post, Native Audio, Nude Run, Hillfarrance and financed in association with Kiwibank. The film is distributed in New Zealand by Madman and Piki Films and in Australia by Madman.
The Mountain will be released across the country on Thursday 28 March.