Kapa Haka group highlight of NZ pre-Oscars party in Hollywood

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

There might have been some famous faces among the guests at the pre-Oscar party honouring New Zealand nominees, but there was really only one star – Keisha Castle-Hughes.

The 13-year-old best actress nominee spent the longest of anyone – including the Lord of the Rings contingent -- answering questions from a scrum of international media on the red carpet at the Beverly Hills Hotel beforehand.

And at the end, she happily joined the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre group in an action song about Paikea – the legend upon which the story of Whale Rider was based. She might have looked a little out of place in her party frock up against the piupiu wearing kapa haka group.

But she – and Whale Rider director Niki Caro and actors Rawiri Paratene and Cliff Curtis – sure knew how the song and dance number went, and the night's musical finale evoked those poignant scenes in the film.

Beforehand Castle-Hughes reiterated she was looking forward to going home after tomorrow's ceremony – where she is considered an extreme long shot at taking home the best actress Oscar.

"I'm getting more homesick every day. The closer it gets to going home I'm like 'four more sleeps...'. It just drives me nuts and I know when I get to two sleeps I don't sleep because I'm too excited about getting on the plane.

And as far as that all-important question about what – or more specifically "who" - she'll be wearing to the Oscars: "It's the Liz Mitchell one but it's still a big secret..."

The teenager's name came up throughout the night. On the red carpet Peter Jackson, was asked by a British television journalist about what New Zealand's next great exports.

"There's always Keisha Castle Hughes she's one of our proudest exports," and added he could see in her one of his movies some day.

"I would love to work with her and I am sure it will happen too."

Inside Curtis, who MC-ed the evening, and Paratene repeatedly described her as "our wise leader", a partly joking reference to her Whale Rider role.

And in his appreciative speech on why he had enjoyed working in New Zealand while playing Gollum in the LOTR trilogy, English actor Andy Serkis also paid tribute.

"I want to thank you for making me understand what acting was all about I haven't seen a performance that has moved me so much."

Director Caro had Castle-Hughes accompanied her to the podium for a speech appreciative of how all those involved in Whale Rider had been honoured by the young actress's nomination.

"That they have been recognised in the world is completely glorious. When you're on the middle of an ocean with a child on a fibreglass whale or where you are on Mt Victoria trying to make elves look immaculate in the middle of a storm, awards recognition is the very last thing that you are thinking about.

"And in the frenzy of fabulousness that is this weekend it's good to remember that we are only as good as the stories we tell."

Hosted by Minister for Lord of the Rings Pete Hodgson, the evening was the third such event at the grand old hotel. The evening with a 200-strong guest list was designed to honour the 13 Oscar nominations with New Zealand connections and showcase the country's film-making potential to Hollywood via a series of video presentations.

There was a lot of Hollywood about the building, though not attending the NZ bash – a frail looking Kirk Douglas made his way past the media up the red carpet to the hotel, as did property magnate Donald Trump.

Inside Kirk's son Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were also spotted, apparently all attending another pre-Oscar bash hosted by Elton John.

Other LOTR cast members attending included Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis and Billy Boyd.

Among the multiple Oscar nominees was Ngila Dickson, costume designer for both Return of the King and Last Samurai. Other kiwi notables included Shrek director Andrew Adamson, The Recruit director Roger Donaldson, and Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori.

Director Peter Jackson bowed out early to attend another do and he and all the Lord of the Rings nominees were due to attend a private party at New Line co-president Bob Shaye's house in the Hollywood hills last night.

Sporting a variation on Maori feather cloak and high-fashion jacket, Paratene explained one notable guest absence in his speech.

"Renee Zellweger was supposed to be here but she discovered what I was going to be wearing and so no one would be looking at her. Because that is what the Oscars are really about - they are about what people are wearing."

See more pictures from the Party in our Oscars Picture Gallery

Visit nzherald.co.nz from midday tomorrow for:

* Pictures from the red carpet as the stars arrive.

* Continuous commentary, updating you on the winners, what they said and, of course, what they were wearing!

* Your list of nominees to help you keep track of all the results.