MT ZION: Stan Walker movie out today on DVD

MEDIA RELEASE June 12

MT ZION: Stan Walker movie out today on DVD, after winning audience award at Industry Convention

MT ZION won the Flicks People's Choice Award for Best Film at the New Zealand Motion Picture Industry Council (NZMPIC) awards last month. The award was decided by public vote on films released in NZ in the past year.

MT ZION also picked up the NZ Box Office Achievement Award, for the highest grossing New Zealand film of 2013.

The MT ZION DVD is now on sale at The Warehouse, JB Hi Fi, Countdown and MightyApe.co.nz or to rent at all leading rental stores. It is also available to download from iTunes and Vodafone InHome TV.

The Australian DVD release is July 11.

MT ZION, starring Stan Walker, Temuera Morrison, Miriama Smith, Troy Kingi, David Wikaira-Paul and Darcey-Ray Flavell-Hudson, stormed the NZ box office in its cinema release, opening at No 1 with a spectacular $200,707 on Waitangi Day and going on to total nearly $1.3 million. A limited release in 11 selected Australian cinemas in March earned over $A189,000.

The DVD extra features include behind the scenes footage from the movie and the music recording sessions as well as the music video of “Take It Easy”, the Stan Walker hit single from the film’s soundtrack, which features scenes from the film. “Take it Easy” is the official anthem for The Salvation Army Australia's Red Shield Appeal.

Synopsis:

In MT ZION, Turei (Stan Walker) is a young man with a big dream; a dream that goes beyond the paddocks of Pukekohe and a hard life of spud-picking with his whanau.

When it’s announced that his idol Bob Marley is looking for a support act for his 1979 Auckland show, Turei sees his chance. Together with his brother Hone (Troy Kingi) and best mates Reggie and Pou (David Wikaira-Paul and Darcey-Ray Flavell-Hudson) they audition for a shot at being the opening band.

But Turei’s ambition challenges the traditions and values of his upbringing and sets him at odds with his father (Temuera Morrison), a true man of the land who settled long ago for a life of hard work and responsibility. Turei soon learns a tough lesson about balancing his own personal dream and his obligations to his family.

From the reviewers:

-  “a smart, finely-observed, heartfelt drama of good humour and decent tunes against an authentic local setting.” - Russell Baillie, NZ Herald

- “I commend Mt Zion for how it filters its by-the-numbers themes through the values of traditional Maori communities, producing something fresh and wholesome.. And be prepared to hum those tunes days after you’ve left the cinema..”  – Liam Maguren, flicks.co.nz

- “It is a special thing to see an actor playing a role which looks so effortless and natural that it could be the real them. This is what Australian Idol winner Stan Walker has done in his debut film Mt Zion.” – Laura Frykberg, tv3.co.nz

ENDS

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