The World's Fastest Indian
Written and directed by New Zealander Roger Donaldson, and starring Oscar-winning Sir Anthony Hopkins, it seems New Zealand is taking the world's centre-screen again.
The World's Fastest Indian is one of several high-profile films shot in New Zealand and directed by top Hollywood-based New Zealanders to recently debut at international film festivals, including Toronto. Not only are more overseas films being made in New Zealand, but more New Zealand stories are being told and are striking a chord with international audiences.
In the film Hopkins plays New Zealander Burt Munro, a man who never let the dreams of youth fade. After a lifetime perfecting his classic 1920 Indian motorcycle, Burt sets off from New Zealand to test his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. With all odds against him, he wins support from unusual allies in his quest to set a new speed record. Burt Munro's 1967 world record remains unbroken and his legend lives on today.
Donaldson and his producing partner Gary Hannam returned to New Zealand to make the film - Donaldson's first New Zealand film since he embarked on a successful Hollywood career 20 years ago.
For Donaldson, The World's Fastest Indian is the culmination of a dream he has held for more than 30 years. As a young filmmaker in the 1970s he worked on the documentary about Burt Munro, called Offerings to the God of Speed. Donaldson was inspired by the Invercargill man and later wrote the original film script of The World's Fastest Indian in 1981.
The script is based on Burt Munro's journeys to Bonneville during the 1960's. It follows the road to fulfilling a dream - and the magic in the true story of a man who believed, 'if it's hard, work harder; if it's impossible, work harder still. Give it whatever it takes, but do it.'
Donaldson says he had been intrigued by Burt's story for many years. 'Some would say my obsession with this film matches Burt's obsession with his bike.' He was determined not to compromise his vision of the story, and finally Donaldson has made the film as intended.
'One thing about New Zealand is that if you are determined to do something, this is a country where things can happen. You don't get held back by bureaucracy or people having a preconceived idea of what a film maker is or what sort of training you should have or if you've got the wherewithal to go out and do it. This is a country that's always been very sympathetic to the 'go, do it' mentality.'
'Munro set about getting the world's fastest motorcycle in a typically New Zealand way,' says Donaldson.
Playing the eccentric and lovable character of Munro is the man recently voted Britain's finest actor. Sir Anthony Hopkins describes Donaldson as a great director, a perfectionist, saying The World's Fastest Indian was a fine script and the crew was the best he had worked with in years. He greatly enjoyed his time in New Zealand, 'it is the best thing I've done - the best experience I've had.'
Praise has been heaped upon the young New Zealand film-star, Aaron Murphy, in his portrayal of Burt's next door neighbour, Tom. Hailing from Warkworth in the North Island, Murphy is only 13 years-old and has already starred in four New Zealand productions to great acclaim.
As well as being shot in Salt Lake City, Utah, much of The World's Fastest Indian was filmed in and around Southland, the most southerly region of New Zealand, and the spectacular Oreti Beach, with its broad expanse of white sand.
Producer Gary Hannam says Invercargill was a great base for a film. 'Having excellent industries there, like engineering, was just as important as having the right scenery. We could have filmed this movie anywhere, but we wanted to do it in Invercargill, where Burt Munro was from. The locals were incredibly co-operative and enthusiastic, and the quality of the extras was wonderful.'
Even Southland's colourful local mayor, Tim Shadbolt, took a role in the film. He says the post-film tourism opportunities will be huge for the region. 'This gives us the opportunity to promote Invercargill and its Southland region throughout the world.'
Biographies
Roger Donaldson - Writer/ Director/ Producer
In 1977 Donaldson directed his first movie Sleeping Dogs starring Sam Neill in his feature film debut. In 1982, after his hit film Smash Palace, Donaldson moved from New Zealand to the United States and was signed to direct The Bounty. The epic retelling of the famous mutiny on the Bounty starred Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day Lewis, and Lawrence Olivier. Donaldson went on to direct many more Hollywood hits, including The Recruit, Thirteen Days, Dante's Peak, Species, Cadillac Man, Cocktail, The Getaway and No Way Out.
Sir Anthony Hopkins - Lead Actor
In a career spanning more than three decades, Hopkins has more than 90 film and television credits to his name. In 1991 he won the Best Actor Academy Award for his unforgettable performance as Hannibal Lecter in the thriller The Silence of the Lambs. He was subsequently nominated in the same category for his performance in Nixon (1995) and The Remains of the Day (1993) for which he received the BAFTA Best Actor Award.
Sir Anthony Hopkins' many other films over the years include: The Bounty, The Lion in Winter, Shadowlands, Red Dragon, Bad Company, Hannibal, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Meet Joe Black, Instinct, Titus, The Mask of Zorro, Howard's End, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Legends of the Fall, The Road to Wellville, Surviving Picasso, The Edge, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Elephant Man, Magic, and A Bridge Too Far.
Gary Hannam - Producer
A key figure on the New Zealand film scene, producer Gary Hannam first made his mark with Smash Palace (1981), where he served as an executive producer with Donaldson directing. Hannam also collaborated with New Zealand Director Vincent Ward as co-producer on the critically acclaimed Vigil (1984) and the award-winning fantasy Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1987). Having moved to Europe in 2002, he co-founded Swiss-based EuroAsset partners GmbH with Australian entertainment financier Justin Pearce, and they jointly established with Commerzbank AG, a €300 million film fund.
To mark 21 years of business for The Film Investment Corporation group in 2002, Hannam founded the Film Investment Corporation Foundation, a charitable trust, to assist young New Zealanders to obtain international experience. In 2004 he founded Tanlay AG to finance, produce and sell new projects, including The World's Fastest Indian.
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