Rhys Lilley (then 12), of Lincoln, shows off his champion white Leghorn bantam during filming for Pecking Order in 2015. Photo/Supplied
Rhys Lilley (then 12), of Lincoln, shows off his champion white Leghorn bantam during filming for Pecking Order in 2015. Photo/Supplied
Mark Lilley has been nervously awaiting the premiere of a film featuring his local poultry club.
The Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club president said he was surprised by the high profile of the film Pecking Order, which premiered in Christchurch this week.
Pecking Order, which received the red-carpet treatment at Hoyts Riccarton as part of the autumn New Zealand International Film Festival, is a documentary which follows members of the Christchurch club as they prepare for the 2015 national poultry show in Oamaru.
The world premiere was held at Hot Docs in Toronto on April 29.
''It was one of those things you're not too sure how to take it,'' said Mr Lilley, whose family breeds chooks on a lifestyle block at Lincoln.
''It's turned into something we never thought it would turn into. We thought it was just going to be a little documentary being screened on New Zealand television.
''But for it to have a world premiere in Toronto ... it just suddenly took off and now I'm just interested to see what it looks like,'' he said before this week's screening.
With the Christchurch club celebrating its 150th annual show and hosting the national poultry show at the Christchurch Table Tennis Club Stadium during June 23 to 25, Mr Lilley said he hoped the film would spark some interest in poultry shows.
''All I hope is it does great things for the fancy and people will come to the show and have a look - even if it's not our show, it could be other shows around the South Island.''
Pecking Order is due for release May 18. Photo/Supplied
The trailer for the film included a scene from a Christchurch club meeting in 2015, where members challenged then president Doug Bain, a semi-retired Dunsandel farmer, which resulted in Mr Lilley getting to the top of the perch.
''We had some interesting times, but that's no different to other clubs, whether it be a rugby club or a squash club,'' Mr Lilley said.
''I think people will be able to relate to it, because we've all been involved in clubs which have gone through moments like that. It's going to be interesting to see how real it actually is.''
Pecking Order was directed by Christchurch film-maker Slavko Martinov and is for public release in New Zealand cinemas from May 18.
Mr Martinov's first documentary, Propaganda, won best film at the 2013 Traverse City Film Festival, in Michigan. The festival was founded by United States filmmaker Michael Moore.
