New Zealand Films at Super-Strength!

Media Release –3rd April 2013
For Immediate Release

The Documentary New Zealand Trust presents
THE DOCUMENTARY EDGE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2013.

NEW ZEALAND FILMS AT SUPER-STRENGTH!

With only one week to go until the launch of the Documentary Edge Festival 2013 and its opening night film, The Island President, the New Zealand contingent of films are looking the strongest they’ve ever been!

Such is the high caliber of this year’s local content that the Documentary Edge organizers have abandoned a “New Zealand” category. With the feeling that these films hold up very strongly alongside the international selection, it would be demeaning to single them out by themselves.

This year’s local highlights include the world premiere of Monica De Alwis’ documentary Pretty Brutal. A bittersweet story about ambition, obsession and trying to connect, Pretty Brutal documents the lives of “Pieces of Hate”, “Kid Vile” and “Naki Kronik” - members of the Pirate City Rollers in New Zealand’s first Roller Derby league. Playfully broaching ideas about gender and identity, Pretty Brutal leaves us re-examining what it means to be aggressive as a woman.

Slavko Martinov’s “documentary”, Propaganda, proved to be a hit when it premiered at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam – but one that caused quite a sensation upon revealing its secret. One of the most fascinating insights into the North Korean perception of the West, Propaganda has generated over 1.3 million hits on YouTube and is either a damning indictment of 21st Century culture or the best piece of propaganda in a generation.

At the age of eight, New Zealand filmmaker Robyn Paterson felt honoured as she stood on the runway of a Zimbabwean air force with her best friend Mercy. Together, they were the poster children meant to represent the new, reformed Zimbabwe, and were about to meet their hero – Comrade Robert Mugabe – in person. Yet in reality, Mercy’s tribe was being killed by Mugabe’s specials forces less than two hours away. Finding Mercy, Paterson’s debut feature, sees her return to Zimbabwe in search for answers and, perhaps more importantly, Mercy.

These films are joined by other incredible works including James Brown’s Red White Black and Blue, Debbie Matthew’s Hens’ Night, Kathleen Mantel’s The Green Chain, Tony Burt’s The Snapper Sandwich, Hap Cameron and Richard Sidey’s Bikes for Africa, James Blake and Joey Bania’s A Delicate Canvas, and Mike Jonathan’s Road To The Globe.

The Documentary Edge International Film Festival 2013 runs:
Auckland – 10th – 21st April, Q Theatre, Queen Street
Wellington – 8th – 19th May, Reading Cinemas Courtney and The Film Archive

The Screen Edge Forum 2013 will be held 18-19 April at Auckland University of Technology.

For more information and to keep up to speed with the latest news regarding the 2013 season, visit.
www.documentaryedge.org.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/edge.festival
Twitter: @Docedge

ENDS

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