Producer Hicks, also a writer/actor/director, says Home Kills is basically a bunch of former Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune and Neighbours actors “being a bit dodgy in rural Waikato”.
“It’s such a good feeling to have our Waikato-shot film play in some awesome local cinemas. It feels like a little homecoming in a way,” Hicks says.
“The critics are calling it the Kiwi Fargo which is such a big honour.
“It’s such a buzz seeing the Waikato and BOP on the big screen. We really do live in a great part of the country.
The project was filmed around many Waikato towns including Cambridge, Putāruru, Te Awamutu, Matamata and also Pukehina, Coastlands and other Bay of Plenty areas.
Home Kills is dark, but out of the shade there is light and humour. The world is one of despair but without slipping into parody. The humour is deadpan and the performances are natural and grounded.
“It’s desperate times for a small rural home kills and butchery service. As big business begins to threaten their livelihood the owners fall into offering a new service – killing people, to make ends meet,” the logline states.
The tour will begin at WhakaMax Whakatāne on September 3 before heading along the trail of Putāruru, Tauranga, Hamilton, Whitianga, Thames, Cambridge, Raglan, Te Awamutu and Matamata with several more locations to be confirmed.
These will be one-off screenings with a Q and A session.
Director Haydn Butler says the project wouldn’t have been possible without Waikato Screen.
“The regional film office Waikato Screen has been so helpful to us in making this film,” Butler says.
“Myself and other key production members are based in Sydney. It was so good having Waikato Screen on the ground pointing us in the right direction with permits, crew and locations.
“They really care about promoting films in the region. Without them, we wouldn’t have had our sold-out shows at last year’s New Zealand International Film Festival.”
Contact individual cinemas about how to purchase tickets.
The Home Kills crew shoot with Maungatautari Mountain in the background.
Waikato Screen Presents the Home Kills Q and A Cinema Tour schedule:
Tuesday, September 3: Whakatāne (WhakaMax) – 7.30pm.
