FOTC star tipped for NZ film role
18 Jun 2009
Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement has been tipped for a role in a new feature film that’s due to start filming soon.
While the role has not been confirmed, a website leak indicates that Clement is likely to appear in Predicament, based on a book by acclaimed Kiwi author Ronald Hugh Morrieson (1922 - 1972).
Predicament is scheduled to begin a seven-week shoot next month (July 2009) in the small South Taranaki town of Hawera, which was the birthplace and home of Morrieson.
The film is being produced by Sue Rogers (Home by Christmas, Forgotten Silver, Heaven) for Midnight Productions.
Fan club leak
Clement's involvement was leaked through a Conchords' fan club website, quoting an interview with Predicament director Jason Stutter.
Stutter said that he was "putting together the finance to shoot a comedy-crime-caper feature film, which has Jemaine Clement from HBO's Flight of the Conchords attached."
Clement has already appeared in nine movies. Stutter's Diagnosis Death, filmed secretly in Wellington last year, is the most recent.
Diagnosis Death, described as a Jackson-esque horror spoof about people who start hallucinating after experimental cancer treatment, was released last month at the 2009 Cannes film festival.
Predicament
Predicament will be the last of Ronald Hugh Morrieson’s novels to come under the lens.
The story has been adapted for film by Jason Stutter.
"Predicament is considered by many to be Morrieson’s best novel. It is my favourite novel by any author. Predicament is the only novel I have read and belly laughed. I literally couldn’t put it down," Stutter said.
"It’s exciting to have the opportunity to make a movie from this material, and to film in the town where the story was invented is the icing on the cake."
Lead roles
The film is reportedly aimed at a young audience, but no information has been released about who will play the lead roles, which include two voluptuous women in steamy sex scenes.
If Clement, 35, is signed up for Predicament, it's likely he will play one of the leading male characters - Cedric Williamson or Mervyn Toebeck.
Casting and other details of the movie are expected to be announced at the official launch.
Hawera
The film company has employed about 50 people and is currently setting up a production base in a disused building in Hawera. Set building is underway.
The film adaptation of Morrieson’s earlier Came a Hot Friday was also based and filmed in Hawera, and the neighbouring towns of Patea and Eltham.
"This is a great opportunity for what is essentially a South Taranaki story to be made in South Taranaki, with positive impacts for the district economy as a result," said South Taranaki District Mayor, Ross Dunlop.
"The film will raise the profile of South Taranaki, and of Morrieson’s work."
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
