Congratulations to long time WIFT member and past President, Catherine Fitzgerald who along with writer and director Tusi Tamasese (The Orator) started principal photography on their new collaboration One Thousand Ropes in Wellington on November 9. We wish them all the best for a smooth shoot and hope Wellington's pesky wind settles down for any outdoor scenes.
A powerful character drama, One Thousand Ropes is an emotional story about Maea a Samoan father reconnecting with his daughter Ilisa. Maea, a former middle weight boxer, uses his hands to massage pregnant women and to knead bread at a bakery: he is gifted in both arts. Despite these talents, he was once a volatile man. Now older, Maea navigates the push and pull of connections to the land, people, past and destiny. His daughter's timely arrival has a lasting effect on both of their lives.
The film stars a talented local cast including Frankie Adams (Shortland Street) in her feature film debut, Uelese Petaia (Sons for the Return Home), Beulah Koale (Last Saint, Shortland Street), Sima Urale (Apron Strings), Ene Petaia (Sione's Wedding) and Anapela Polataivao (Night Shift, The Market). They star alongside some fantastic new discoveries.
One Thousand Ropes is the second feature together for Tamasese (director and writer) and Catherine Fitzgerald (producer).
Tamasese comments "I am very honoured to be working with such a generous and experienced crew, many of whom we worked with on The Orator and with an exciting cast."
Tamasese's first feature film The Orator premiered at the Venice Film Festival 2011 and achieved international and local acclaim. It was New Zealand's first-ever entry into the best foreign-language film category for the Academy Awards and was celebrated on the international circuit including Sundance and Berlin film festivals.
One Thousand Ropes is a Blueskin Films production in association with the New Zealand Film Commission and Fulcrum Media Finance.