Skinny young men wanted to star in film about WWII

If you thought being in a movie was a job for the cash-loaded hunks and beauties of Hollywood, a New Zealand production company wants to prove you wrong.

In fact, if you're a bit on the emaciated side and live in Hawkes Bay, you're exactly who they want.

Auckland company Earthwire Productions is about to start filming the story of a fictional World War II soldier from New Zealand.

Its soldier was captured in Greece and spent time in a prisoner-of-war camp in Austria before struggling with the quiet life on his return home.

The Ruahine Ranges have been given the job of emulating the alps of Austria and the film's producer, Jonathon Rayner-Burt, is looking for a farmer who could make a paddock available once the ranges are snow-capped in the middle of the year.

"Any rolling green field with a good view of the ranges, though, would be ideal," Mr Rayner-Burt said.

A dozen men are also needed to act as fellow prisoners of war working in the field.

"We are looking for thin young men who are in their mid-20s up to about 35," Mr Rayner-Burt said.

They would be needed for two days but, because the film, called Journey of a Story, was being made with a volunteer cast and crew, they would not be paid.The planned release date is Anzac Day 2011.

Journey of a Story has a budget of just $100,000 - "pretty small for a feature film" - and has the support of the Defence Force, the president of the Auckland Returned and Services Association, and the Australian Returned Services League.

The film's makers plan to hold a fundraising concert at the Century Theatre in Napier during Art Deco Weekend (February 18-21).

For more information, email jonathon@earthwire.co.nz