It’s pretty safe to say that director Toa Fraser‘s latest period action epic, The Dead Lands has become a film festival hit this season. The film has already earned its ample share of critical praise this month and plenty more can be expected as the film engages its viewership in its native New Zealand cinemas at the end of October.
Fortunately, the film has already closed a huge slate of international deals last week, promising the film a much larger audience in places like the U.K. and Italy. That said, tack another one on for North America with news from Deadline that Magnet Releasing has acquired distribution rights to the film.
The Dead Lands is an historic, Maori period action drama starring James Rolleston as a chieftain’s son, Hongi, whose tribe is nearly slaughtered, setting him on a mission to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior to help him avenge his people and bring peace to their souls. The film is produced by Matthew Metcalfe and its screenwriter Glenn Standring, with Mau Rakau expert Jamus Webster designing the film’s brutal Maori martial arts action.
Rolleston is joined by Te Kohe Tuhaka, Lawrence Makoare, Rena Owen, George Henare and Xavier Horan. The latest trailer for the film’s NZ release is just below!
