Hollywood stars turn out for Kiwi short film premiere

Film stars Samantha Morton and Naomi Watts gave top billing to a short film by one of New Zealand's most promising film-makers at its world premiere in Wellington last night.

Both said they were moved by the acting talent in Tama Tu by Taika Waititi, which they agreed would have universal appeal.

Maori Battalion veterans came from all parts of New Zealand to see the first screening of the short film, which is about six Maori soldiers waiting for nightfall in a bombed-out house in Italy in World War 2.

They were joined by Watts, who has a lead role in Peter Jackson's King Kong, and Morton, who stars in Vincent Ward's River Queen.

Kiwi film star Cliff Curtis, who has a producer's credit for the short, also attended the Embassy Theatre premiere.

After the screening Morton endorsed comments from Curtis about the importance of Maori continuing to film their own stories.

"Money needs to be funded into Maori film-making, otherwise someone else is not going to make them in the same way," she said.

Watts said she was struck with Tama Tu by how much could be conveyed with a film of such limited length.

"It was beautiful, lovely. It's amazing how many emotions were covered in such a short amount of time."

Waititi said the 17-minute short, filmed in Wellington Hospital's main entrance during the hospital's demolition, is about young people's indestructible spirit - even in the most frightening situations.

The film has no dialogue. The actors use natural performances and facial expressions to communicate with one another, show emotions and evoke mood, he said.

Waititi said he hoped Tama Tu, produced by Curtis' AIO Defender Films, would be shown at New Zealand festivals.

- NZPA