Eagle vs. Shark

Taika Waititi sharpens the edges of reality in his first feature film, Eagle vs. Shark.

Taika Waitti New Zealand film director

"Playing out extreme or unusual characters in the straightest of ways is what makes deadpan serious so funny," says Taika. "It is the antidote to slapstick. When the atmosphere is tense and uncomfortable that's when we feel the need to laugh most. The sort of humour I prefer and write, comes from finding the lighter side of tragic."

In January 2005, he attended the exclusive Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab to workshop a feature project, Choice, and was again selected in July 2005 to attend the Directors’ Lab with tune Eagle vs Shark. It was the first time a writer or director had been chosen to workshop two different projects at Sundance.

"On one hand Eagle vs Shark is a slightly dark, art film with some funny moments and a little bit of love," "On the other it is a romantic comedy with a soul and no stars attached," says Taika.

	A scene from the movie 'Eagle vs. Shark'

Aside from his film talents, Taika is also an experienced painter and photographer having exhibited both mediums in Wellington and Berlin. He brings to the art of film making a world that isn’t black and white. It’s a colourful, glorious mess worth taking a second look at.

Taika Waititi doesn’t paint the picture. He gently dumps audiences in a seat just off centre and brushes away the blur.

Eagle vs. Shark
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The location of the camping scene in Eagle vs. Shark, Whitireia Park is situated in Titahi Bay, Wellington. The park comprises 180 hectares of grasslands, with a small piece of native bush. With commanding views over Mana Island and west to Porirua Harbour, Whitireia Park provides Wellingtonians the opportunity to undertake a variety of leisure activities such as walking, mountain biking and fishing.

Whitireia Park is also steeped in Maori history and evidence of Maori occupation, in the form of kumara-growing terraces (New Zealand Sweet Potato), can still be seen today.

Film and music

New Zealand has become a popular filming destination for the global cinema industry, built on the legacy of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Indigenous film projects have also been hugely successful.

Following in the footsteps of The Whale Rider is In My Father’s Den, an intricately layered, character-driven mystery that has been a favourite in international film festivals.

Since the soaring tones of soprano Kiri Te Kanawa first charmed the world, New Zealand’s music artists have been finding audiences beyond their home patch. Brothers Tim and Neil Finn, originally from Split Enz, continue to produce new songs and play regular live gigs. Chinese-Maori singer Bic Runga is responsible for ‘Drive’, the biggest selling local artist album in New Zealand music history. Her songs are hauntingly beautiful.

Hayley Westenra is another New Zealand singing sensation. Although she's only eighteen, Hayley's classical vocal skills have been rated alongside Bryn Terfel and Andrea Boccelli. Her CD 'Pure' was launched globally and quickly became one of the fastest-selling classical/crossover debut albums ever.

Kiwiana — Celebrating Our National Identity