Fresh from a sell-out world premiere at the prestigious SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas, the debut trailer for The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps has been released.
In cinemas nationwide on 2 May, the film is an intimate cinematic portrait of the eccentric Martin Phillipps and his band The Chills. One of New Zealand’s most important songwriters, Phillipps startling sense of humour - even in the blackest moments, will captivate audiences.
The film travels with Phillipps as he faces the jarring reality of his mortality, reconciles a lifetime’s worth of curious collections and looks back on a catalogue of heavenly pop hits. Rediscover the music that personifies 1980s New Zealand, when people loved their leather jackets and lived through the doldrums.
Directed by Julia Parnell of Notable Pictures (Wilbur: The King in the Ring, Anthems) and co-directed by Rob Curry (Way of the Morris, The Ballad of Shirley Collins) this is a powerful documentation of one of our most colourful musical icons. Early reviews have called it ‘Gritty, grainy, colourful and unusually intimate. " - Eye for Film. Rolling Stone said, “This is what a living legend looks and sounds like."
“Martin is captivating, articulate and surprisingly clear-eyed about his life and work,” said Parnell. “Our film, alongside Martin, picks apart a lifetime of memories, and as his precious items are discarded and redistributed, we discover the powerful stories behind it all. Martin’s story tells us that in the end, you can’t run from the truth, no matter how high you rise in life, or how far you fall.”
“When I realised that my health might limit my ability to tell my own story, I became very focused on what I needed to achieve with the time I had left,” said Phillipps. “It was important that I honestly confronted what had happened in the past - the highs and the lows. I feel I can stand tall now. This movie is a psychedelic tapestry of tragedy and success that will take people on an unexpected voyage.”
The film will be released nationwide on 2 May following a gala premiere in Dunedin on 1 May, coinciding with the launch of New Zealand Music Month.
The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps was made with investment by the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Dunedin City Council and private investment. The film will be distributed theatrically in New Zealand and Australia by Madman Entertainment.