Summary
Rachel Houseis a staple of New Zealand cinema.
She also highlights the importance of spotlighting Maori culture in her work.
It’s just something else!
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
RACHEL HOUSE: I know.
To catch our audience up, would you mind giving a brief synopsis?
Many questions about this being your first feature as a director.
Image via TIFF
Why particularly this material?
HOUSE: Initially, the script was about three little boys.
Were you surprised when that happened, or did people know that you were seeking projects to direct?
That never happened spent too long procrastinating.
And so when this came along, I thought, Yeah, this is it.
This is the way.
Image via TIFF
So, that was something that I felt really good about.
Working on this feature film was definitely a way for me to experiment with that with the adult actors.
And they all do.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
They bought their own game on day one.
Edward Burns was just inhere talking about his new movie, and he explained it the same way.
The three of them are exceptional.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
HOUSE: I should start with Terence Daniel because his audition tape was exceptional.
He put it together himself; I thought it must have been done by his mom.
He is in doing Kapa Haka, doing the Haka.
Explores the journey of three young people as they seek solace under the watchful gaze of the Taranaki mountain and companionship in the spirit of adventure.
He came in, and he basically was Bronco as soon as he stepped in the door.
He also had a very clear understanding of grief, and also the importance of nature.
He isphenomenalin that role.
HOUSE: And that’s Terence.
What you’re seeing is actually Terence.
These films all expertly explore the exquisite angst that is growing up.
How about your other two stars now?
HOUSE: Beautiful Reuben [Francis].
They were from New Zealand.
And so he came into the lockdown into his new life.
He hadn’t made any friends, and so he was feeling very much like an outsider.
So when he came to audition, that was kind of where he was at in his life.
And then, of course, our beautiful Elizabeth [Atkinson].
She was the hardest to find.
It leaps off the screen in her work.
I thought you struck a beautiful balance with that.
It was imperative that he be our guide through our culture, so that was a complete rewrite.
I think he does it really well, that character.
I think that character kind of brings us in really well.
I’m connected to two of them, which is really great.
I wouldn’t have made that mountain Taranaki unless I was personally connected to them.
It was a long process, but one that couldn’t be rushed.
I have to wrap with you and I wanted to see to it to end on this particular question.
In this industry, we give each other awards and I think that’s super cool.
HOUSE: I think it was just the way every day we had a prayer.
Your film made me so happy!
HOUSE: Im so happy!
I will never get sick of people saying that they like my film.
I assume the itch to direct feature films is still there, and perhaps growing?
HOUSE: Oh, yeah!
Although maybe something in a different genre.
And also Roxstar Entertainment, our event producing partner and Photagonist Canada for the photo and video services.
