FISH HEAD

A desire to move away from the city they call home has swept over a group of Wellington-based flat mates. But, more urgently, they've seen a FREE piano advertised on Wellington community page, Vic Deals, and they simply must go and get it!

Kia ora koutou!

Want to see Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui Wellington on the big screen as never before? Well, look no further than FISH HEAD - the all new comedy feature film project set in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand! 

The people behind this project love Wellington. We love the quaint villages hidden among the hills, the stormy seas of Island Bay, the mist falling on Mount Victoria. It can’t be beaten on a good day, and we argue it's not so bad on a bad day either. 

This project seeks to represent on screen the hilarious absurdity found in conversations and goings ons of young people in 2020s Wellington. 

Moreover, it aims to investigate a negative attitude towards the city that is seemingly pervasive among young Wellingtonians. 

The Team

OUR WONDERFUL CREW

Director: A J Wheatley

Producer, Production Manager: Sam Withers

Director of Photography: Akshat Sondhi

Costume Designer & Technician, Art Dept. Head: Indy Brown

Set dressing: Harvey Armstrong

Hair & Make Up Designer: Tedi Crugnale

1st Assistant Director of Photography: Connor Grant

Composer: Daniel Honey

Casting Director: Ethan Cranefield

Promotions Officer: Laura Allen

OUR WONDERFUL CAST

Anna Barker, Klara Talantseva, Ophelia Muller, Noah Kaio, Rylan Cleland, Mathieu Rata

Tuscany King, Ayush Aditya, Ocean Manutulila, Sonya Li-McHenry, Merrill Jayne Gallano Abapo, Seth Lishman, Roy Clark, Ren Mahuika, Ngarongonui Mareikura, Brock Oliver, Violet Patterson, Nathaniel Smith, Zoe Harris, Chelsea Gardner, Celia Macdonald, Adam Raitt, James Scoles, Rebecca Stirling

Why do we need your help?
The money raised in this Boosted Campaign will kickstart the production of this movie. Namely, it will go towards koha for volunteers, equipment hire, filming permits, insurance(s), petrol, and other, hidden costs.

We believe this story needs to be told now. If you would like to support a group of emerging Pōneke artists, please donate if you are able to! If you are not in a position to donate, please help spread the word of this crowdfunding campaign. Every little bit of support counts! 
 

The Story

In the world’s Southernmost capital city, a feeling has taken hold - a feeling among its younger inhabitants that the place they call home is dying.

Jess, a twenty-four-year-old, has just returned to Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui Wellington following a year of travel abroad. She’s at a junction: she must choose whether to restart her life here or start afresh somewhere else. Does she stay or does she go?

Meanwhile, her best friend, Caroline, is set to leave New Zealand indefinitely amere two days  after Jess’ return. Caroline is sure she’ll find overseas all she wants in life.

But first, the opportunity to claim a free piano is too enticing to pass up. What adventures await them in their last weekend together in Wellington?

FISH HEAD tells the comedic story of one chaotic weekend in Wellington during a period of uncertainty in the characters’ lives and in the city’s future.

This isn’t all fun and games, though; we believe we have something to say!

The people behind FISH HEAD are saddened by an apparent desire among young Wellingtonians to leave the city, and are concerned with what impact this will have long-term. Indeed, this attitude seems prevalent among many young New Zealanders nationwide. Young people are the future of Wellington and the future of New Zealand. Why do they all seem to want to leave?

This project aims to investigate this negative sentiment towards Wellington. Many news articles have discussed Wellington needing ‘it’s swagger back’, being a place where optimism is hard to find, and even going as far as to coin the term ‘Wellington Syndrome’.

We're keen to highlight that, while the city certainly has its flaws, Wellington is a beautiful, vibrant and unique place in the world. We want to interrogate perceptions that it's in decline. 

What are Wellington’s pros and cons as seen through the eyes of young people? What does the future hold for Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui?