james rolleston
Screener Review: THE DEAD LANDS (2015)
SYNOPSIS:
Hongi (James Rolleston) – a Maori chieftain’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones after his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, led by Wirepa (Te Kohe Tuhaka), Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious “Warrior” (Lawrence Makoare), a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.
REVIEW:
If you’re at all keen to what’s happening in film festivals, chances are you might have caught a glimpse of director Toa Fraser‘s latest contribution to period action adventure genre, The Dead Lands. The film has been highly-received by critics throughout the festival circuit as well as its audience at home in New Zealand upon its theatrical release late last year, and not for nothing either. Should you just now happen to be stumbling upon this movie for yourself through my review, feel free to keep reading.
The film takes off as two tribes, long pacted by a truce are once again thrown into bitter war when Wirepa (Te Kohe Tuhaka) commits an egregious act of sacrilege during what should have been a symbolic ceremony of peace. Little does he know that Hongi (James Rolleston) the son of the arbitrating chieftain (George Henare) was watching – a moment that would soon play to Wirepa’s advantage in the course of his own personal ambitions toward glory and tribal dominance, and one that ultimately costs Hongi the lives of nearly his entire tribe in one fateful night.
Desperate to avenge his father and bring honor back to the spirits of his fallen tribe, Hongi sets out to claim his place as a chief and hunt down Wirepa and his warrior clan once and for all. Knowing full well he cannot take on them alone, he follows Wirepa and his men into a forbidden land and wanders his own way into the territory of its long-feared and enigmatic keeper (Lawrence Makoare) to seek his help. Seeing as Wirepa and his men are also trespassers, the reclusive and mysterious Warrior reluctantly joins Hongi on his quest, one which ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery and redemption for the two distinct tribesmen in the face of evil.
The Dead Lands is really my first step into Fraser‘s work aside from those who are already familiar with films like his stellar wins in the 2006 dramedy, Naming Number Two, and the 2008 book adaptation, My Talks With Dean Spanley. Moreover, I’m not knowledgeable of anicient Maori culture, but for this, I was very pleased at the scope and overall quality and handling of the production, in addition to the training of the actors and absorption of ancient dialect, culture and mannerisms in all aspects.
Rolleston, an award-winning actor namely having earned his accolades in films like Boy (2010) and The Dark Horse (2014), does an incredible job leading the story, driven even more with stronger performances by notable TV actor Tuhaka as the film’s villian, and actor Makoare, who showcases one of the most primal and engaging performances of the film as the Warrior. Glossy visuals further enhance actress Rena Owen‘s role as Hongi’s late Grandmother who acts as his spiritual guide during his harrowing quest. Actor Henare, while his character is short-lived, is able to leave his mark in setting the tone as Hongi’s father, Tane, the chieftain, in addition to actors Xavier Horan and Pana Hema Taylor who lend their own intensity to the screen as Wirepa’s men.
Further into the acting and drama is the impressive action we get to see from our cast, thanks in large part to stunt coordinator Steve McQuillan, and co-star and action choreographer Jamus Webster, who lends an eye-ful to the intricacies and overt brutality of Maori martial arts combat, from ancient weaponry to choreography and relative warrior bravado. Some of the most impressive physical action is put on display by Makoare who is no stranger to physical roles like the several he’s played in three of Peter Jackson’s recent films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s LOTR-universe novels. Actress Raukura Turei also delivers a strong performance in role of Mehe, a tribeswoman traveling separately through the titular ‘lands’ with two other companions, and while the only female in the film to partake in the film’s action during her limited screentime, also manages to make an impression of her own that simply leaves you wanting more.
Clearly The Dead Lands is representative as something that Fraser has managed to adequately and genuinely adapt to from start to finish. Glenn Standring’s script shines light on an historic world filled with visceral ferocity, pain and suffering, coupled with emphasis on the toxicity of tribal politics, as well as magic and mystery, and messages respective to differing philosophies about life, tragedy and honor surrounding a young boy’s coming-of-age journey into manhood and wisdom. Fraser‘s world is one that immerses you with ample thrills, chills, intensity, brilliance and majesty while taking neither of these to the extreme, thus delivering a powerful movie that captivates and grips you nearly from moment-to-moment.
These, if not more, are all plenty of reasons why this film has been one of the most highly-rated period dramas as of late, and all the more equally exemplary of why I personally recommend it myself when Magnet Releasing premieres the film in select theaters and on VOD on April 17.
Toa Fraser's THE DEAD LANDS Scores A New Red-Band Trailer!
Watch the brand new red-band trailer below courtesy of IGN and be sure to mark the date for its limited theatrical and video-on-demand release for April 17 from Magnet Releasing!
THE DEAD LANDS Gets A U.S. Poster And Theatrical/VOD Release Date
Director Toa Frasier‘s latest Maori action epic, The Dead Lands, has stood the test of time since its film festival accolades last year prior to its New Zealand release. The film is finally extending its roll-out to other territories in 2015, including in North America where it will first premiere in limited theaters and through video-on-demand beginning on April 17 following its acquisition by Magnet Releasing. As such, we now have a fresh new poster to accomodate. It’s not too different from the artwork presented last year, but its still worth taking notice. Check it out.
Produced by Matthew Metcalfe and scribe Glenn Standring, The Dead Lands centers on actor James Rolleston in the role of Hongi, the son of a chieftain forced trek forbbiden territory to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father and his tribe, and bring peace and honor to their souls. Also starring are actors George Henare, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Xavier Horan and Lawrence Makoare, and actresses Raukura Turei and Rena Owen. Stick around as we may be seeing a trailer soon enough after this.
H/T: ComingSoon.net
A Young Hero's Story Lives On In The New Trailer For THE DEAD LANDS
After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi – a Maori chieftan’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honor to the souls of his loved ones. Vastly outnumbered by the band of villains, Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious “Warrior,” a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.
A Warrior's Spirit Rises In The New Poster For Maori Action Epic, THE DEAD LANDS
Another day has arrived, and as such, another new poster has arrived for director Toa Fraser‘s Maori action drama, The Dead Lands. The new poster marks the official New Zealand release date for October 30 from Transmission Films.
Check it out below:
Written by Glenn Standring, the new film centers on actor James Rolleston in the role of Hongi, the son of a chieftain forced trek forbbiden territory to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father and his tribe, and bring peace and honor to their souls. One of the biggest elements moviegoers can expect on top of its stunning New Zealand landscapes and prominence of Maori culture will be the presence of Mau rakau, an ancient style of Maori martial arts and weapons combat used for the film’s epic fight sequences, coordinated by Steve McQuillan (Ek Tha Tiger, Spartacus: Blood And Sand). So, rest assured, positive early screening reviews notwithstanding, The Dead Lands will be sure-fire effort in delivering a fully-fledged epic story when it gains a bigger audience in the months ahead.
XYZ Films has worldwide distribution rights following its acquistion at the top of the year. The film also just earned its first poster art this week for its opening-night premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival which kicks off on September 4. CLICK HERE to check out the festival poster art, as well as the film’s official teaser, and stay tuned for more info as it arises.
H/T: Trigger World
Maori Period Action Epic THE DEAD LANDS Reveals New Pics!
The epic production of director Toa Fraser‘s new film, The Dead Lands, is sparking some amazing new coverage this week since wrapping principal photography earlier this year. The film, which is being handled by international sales agents at XYZ Films is poised to be the latest thrilling new look into a genuine Maori-language period tale of revenge and redemption from writer Glenn Standring, with Maori martial art form Mau rākau, as the backbone of the intricate and exciting new fight choreography from Steve McQuillan (The Gunman, Slow West).
SYNOPSIS:
Hongi (James Rolleston) – a Maori chieftain’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones after his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, led by Wirepa (Te Kohe Tuhaka), Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious “Warrior” (Lawrence Makoare), a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.
Now in post production, Twitchfilm is debuting six new photos and stills from the upcoming film which you can check out below.
Stay excited, and by all means, stay tuned for more updates!