Out now on dvd/blu-ray

When a City Falls, Movie

When a City Falls 2011

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Documentary chronicling the impact of Christchurch’s devastating earthquakes, September 2010 and February 2011, on the lives of its citizens: "The people's story shot in the streets of Christchurch". Features original music by Tiki Taane. More

Focusing on the reactions of Cantabrians without narration, When a City Falls "offers a new and grass roots understanding of what happened to half a million New Zealanders the year their lives changed forever... goes beyond reactive television footage to a tale of hope, an uplifting story that speaks of the kindness of human hearts." (Official Synopsis) Hide

Directed by Gerard Smyth

Written by Gerard Smyth

Original Music by: Tiki Taane, Aaaron Tokonoa

Documentary | 1hr 45mins | M | contains offensive language | Country of Origin: New Zealand | Official Site

208 votes / 31 comments The Talk

  • 60 %

    Want to See it

    What say you?

    • lolwut

      Really. . . -.-

    • Red

      Wowsers.

    • Dave

      Yes really. You insensitive idiot.

    • lari

      i'm from christchurch and i reckon it's too soon

    • reetz

      this is pnly the adds, and i am already crying.......

    • Rob

      I helped out in the red zone after the feb quake. This will show what chch went through. Good luck to all down there.

    • Mary Hinge

      If they can avoid wall-to-wall narration and reporters mugging in front of the same bit of Manchester St like TV - then this should be good.

    • delph007

      it's too soon and people's emotions are too raw to be already confronted with a movie of their darkest day!

    • maria

      i'm from christchurch - this movie is too soon and i shan't be watching it.

    • Dad

      Yep, want to see it

    • NoSoapsHere

      A story that needed to be told with NZ, It will help others understand of what people are going through. See it when you are ready.

    • Julia

      People say it's too soon, but I'm ready. We lost a friend at CTV, this is part of healing.

    • Sarah

      If it means people in other cities take their heads out of the sand about the risk where they live, then good has come from it.

    • Kat

      I saw the Media Screening of this. Very cathartic - made a lot of media cry. A very human film.

    • James

      Went to a charity screening of this last night in Auckland. I laughed, and I cried too. It's a real documentary.

    • Scott

      Living in Korea and wanting to purchase a downloadable copy. When will it become available?

    • yusuf

      movies

    • Anneke Rolls

      too much too soon too real

    • xxx

      Gooooo Christchurch

    • veg

      im from chch its g wit me

    • bob

      the trailer is really good

    • Missy T

      I think its important to share what we went through. I wonder if all the too soon comments are from a slightly more conservative generation.

    • Helen

      Thank you for this film. Would like to see Pt 2 made, the long term impact, the fate of Chch, continue the peoples' story...

    • Mikayla

      OMG MY POPS HUMMER IS IN THIS !! Its called "Rangiora Earthquake Express" :)

    • tyyche

      Not ready yet. But glad it's all being recorded. Maybe one day I'll watch it.

    • elly

      One part of me wants to see but the other part doesn't.I lost friends and just cry a lot even if our house damaged but stands.

    • Desiree

      We lost our home and have moved to Brisbane, I really want to see it, I think that it will help with the healing process.

    • Desiree

      I will also be purchasing the DVD when it comes out, so our children can see and remember what we all went through.

    • Bruce

      How & where can I get this on DVD. We couldn't see it at our local cinema, wrong format, so help please!!

    • Andy

      whenacityfalls.co.nz for $26NZD

  • CARE TO COMMENT?

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Flicks.co.nz Review

Rating:

  • AGREE? DISAGREE?...

  • san

    will copies of this be available for purchase - for us ex-pats?

  • Ed-Flicks

    Hey San - bound to be at some stage. Keep an eye on their site for details: www.whenacityfalls.co.nz

  • Rob

    Too right it's different from the media coverage. Watch it. It'll make you proud :)

comment / reply
Andreas Heinemann Flicks Writer

It’s been nine months since one of the biggest natural disasters to ever hit New Zealand. In that time, local media outlets have saturated us with images and issues relating to the Christchurch earthquake and you could be forgiven for having become a touch desensitised to the whole episode. More

This documentary differs from that coverage by virtue of its homegrown roots. Made about Cantabrians by a Cantabrian, the sense of tragedy remains but is balanced by footage of the community pulling together and recovering. Whether it be the dry, laconic humour used in coping with the aftermath or witnessing small acts of kindness, there is a great deal of optimism evident. Best of all, this sense of hope seems an organic and natural response from interviewees, as opposed to a construct of filmmaking technique.

The wide range of said interviewees creates an emotional mosaic of the city, although it would have been interesting if a few of the subjects could’ve been followed with a little more depth. There are also a few moments when the camera is bordering on invasive and the closing stanza, which looks overseas for future urban planning options, doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the piece.

Still, this was a vital moment in our history and needed to be captured for posterity. As time goes on and the Christchurch earthquake becomes a foggy, painful memory, hard evidence such as this will only grow in importance. Hide

The People's Reviews

Rating:

2 ratings and 2 reviews

  • AGREE? DISAGREE?...

  • Rob

    Yep, it's a beaut of a film. shows how, in tough times, the character of the people shines through.

comment / reply

A very moving and stunningly put together documentary

Whitney B-Grader (?)

I saw the documentary lastnight at my local Christchurch cinema and just wanted to share what an amazing film it was to watch. It was also at the same time very hard to watch with being witness to these dreadful earthquakes first hand from living in Christchurch my entire life, but the way the film crew put it together made me extremely proud to be from Christchurch. There are times in the movie when people would spontaneously shed a tear aloud at different scenes and at the end of the movie everyone in the cinema clapped and smiled at each other knowing that it is going to be all ok and we do have each other. It was very moving to see so many people I know throughout the film but it such an amazing movie and I recommend all New Zealanders to watch it. I think it really shows Christchurch for what we really are, the strong amazing resilient bunch of people.

  • AGREE? DISAGREE?...

  • John

    Hell yeah! It works as a movie. I went with dad - we both cried, but that was ok! It's very cathartic.

comment / reply

Don't wait

Cinefan B-Grader (?)

I saw this with three friends on Tuesday. Out of ten we gave it 8, 8 and a half, 9, and 9.5...so I think that means we were bloody impressed. This is definitely a big screen affair I reckon. A really moving, dramatic story, beautifully shot, a film that reminds us that real-life people and events - in all their intensity, comedy, laughter and courage - can make for the most powerful stories of all. It would have been totally wrong if this film was crap, or even just ok...the topic is too important for that. I'm relieved that it is so good.

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Press Reviews

Christchurch Star (Anna Turner)

A moving, raw look at everything that's happened to our city since September 4. Full review.

New Zealand Listener (David Larsen)

At once a celebration of endurance and a lament of loss, it will still be being watched 50 years from now. Full review.

NZ Herald (Peter Calder)

At its best, it's a moving testament to the people of the munted city, and it will form a valuable part of the historical record. Full review.

Public Address (Russell Brown)

Really, just go and see this film. Full review.

Stuff.co.nz (Sarah Watt)

The film is a big emotional journey. Full review.

Timaru Herald (Matthew Littlewood)

When 'A City Falls' might not provide any closure, but it allows people to remember. Mandatory, shattering viewing. Full review.

TVNZ.co.nz (Darren Bevan)

Truly inspirational and utterly important, this doco demands to be seen and will ultimately stand as a testament to Cantabrians and this nation as a whole. Full review.