River Queen premiere puts spotlight on Wanganui

Wanganui will have its turn in the New Zealand film spotlight next week with the world premiere of Vincent Ward's new film River Queen being held in the city.

River Queen, filmed in the region and on the Whanganui River, is the story of a young Irish woman who finds herself caught on both sides of the conflict during wars between Maori tribes and the British colonial army in the late 1860s.

Stars of the film include double Academy Award-nominated British actress Samantha Morton, American Kiefer Sutherland and New Zealanders Cliff Curtis and Temuera Morrison.

A special feature of Tuesday's premiere event will be a ceremony on the Whanganui River, publicist Sue May said.

Three waka built especially for the film will be paddled up the river by Maori men dressed in the warrior costumes or colonial uniforms they wore in the film. In an acknowledgment ceremony the waka will be gifted by film company Silverscreen Films to the Whanganui iwi in recognition of their contribution to the film.

From there it is on to the more traditional glitz of a film premiere, with a street parade, speeches and VIP red carpet arrivals.

Among those walking the red carpet will be Prime Minister Helen Clark, Arts Minister Judith Tizard, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey, and Wanganui mayor Michael Laws.

Accompanying Ward, producer Don Reynolds and key members of the film's creative team will be cast members Curtis, Morrison, Rawiri Pene, Wi Kuki Kaa, Shavaughan Ruakere and Mark Ruka.

Other New Zealand actors expected to be at the premiere include teenage star Keisha Castle-Hughes, Miriama Smith and Rawiri Paratene.

A block of Wanganui's main street will be covered by red carpet and a big screen will relay all the action from the river ceremony.

Another special feature will be the first ever public performance of a haka, Te Ika Na Tuu, composed for the film by Wanganui kaumatua Rangitihi Tahutarae.

The stirring haka features in the film but is not seen in full and has never been performed in public, Ms May said.

As the film has its first screening for VIPs, cast, crew and invited guests, Wanganui people are encouraged to continue the celebrations at a street party outside.

It will be a special night for River Queen, which at times during filming last year in a cold winter in the Wanganui hinterland looked in danger of not making it to the screen.

Setbacks included Morton being hospitalised with influenza and Curtis being involved in a car crash. Both episodes held up shooting.

But despite the setbacks, including his own sacking and reinstatement, Ward has said River Queen is among his best work.

He has rated it the most difficult movie he had been involved with, but the one he is most proud of.

Ward's previous credits include What Dreams May Come, which won an Academy Award for best visual effects, and the critically acclaimed The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey.

River Queen, budgeted at $23 million, was five years in the making for Ward from original concept to completed work.

He co-wrote the screenplay with compatriot Toa Fraser.

The film had international exposure at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, and after its Wanganui premiere goes on general release on January 26.

- NZPA