“Our Gut and Hearts Paid Off” – Interview With the Director of ‘Orphans & Kingdoms’

Orphans and Kingdoms is riding alongside a recent string of quality Kiwi films, with the film releasing nationwide on Thursday, 14th April and a special Red Carpet Gala screening on Tuesday night, 5th April (details here).

The New Zealand drama is set on Waiheke Island, following three teens who break into a holiday home for a night of partying when the owner (Colin Moy, In My Father’s Den) unexpectedly arrives. The trio confront and apprehend him, but as the night turns into dawn, the lonely man and the troubled teens find a connection in the most unexpected of ways.

We threw a few questions towards writer-director Paolo Rotondo (Stickmen) about making a film on Waiheke Island, collecting international awards, and following in the footsteps of the nationally-praised Fantail.


FLICKS: What sparked the concept behind ‘Orphans & Kingdoms’?

PAOLO ROTONDO: Becoming a dad and living on Waiheke Island caused me to question things and to look at the world differently. On Waiheke you can see such extremes of wealth all on the same street. Underneath it all there are universal things that make us all much more connected and similar. With that in mind, I got an inspiration from my daughter’s favourite ‘Brooke Fraser’ song and soon I had characters knocking at my door to get into the script.

How did you discover the three young leads?

They all auditioned. Calae who plays Kenae was the only kid who could really stand up to an adult actor in the audition and hold his own. Hanelle (Tibs) had auditioned for me when I was helping to cast a US TV film, she was so strong I wanted her for Orphans. Jesse auditioned and proceeded to teach me about the real world of the characters I was exploring. He didn’t need a script – he knew the story.

You must be stoked with the accolades you received from overseas. How did you feel when the film first played outside of New Zealand?

If I’m really honest, I’m excited whenever anyone sees the film. That said, after such a long journey on a micro-budget film, it was wonderful that appreciation started flowing in from afar. I love it that I can say from “Alaska to India” audiences have responded to a little kiwi film with a big heart.

This new version of the film is a re-cut from the version that played at NZIFF 2014. What was it like to go back to the editing room?

We were really glad we got to show our film in the NZIFF and it became like a test screening. A bigger budget film would have had many test screenings, but we are a micro budget. So when we headed into the editing suite again it was because we knew there was more to get from the film. We had to be true to our vision even though it was a big call and massive risk. Thankfully, going with our gut and hearts paid off.

Was it difficult going to lots of flash houses on Waiheke to find the right one?

Oh yeah, it was hideous! It was slightly depressing at first because we went to several amazing places but the owners were not that keen. The more humble people were, the more generous. The problem is that we wanted something flash, not humble. In the end, we found two stunning places with owners that ‘got’ what we were doing and were keen to help.

I see your film was funded by the NZ Film Commission’s Escalator scheme. How did it feel to follow up their debut project, the nationally-praised ‘Fantail’?

I loved Fantail and I know the filmmakers behind it well. Curtis Vowell, the director, shared his experience with me, and together with Sophie Henderson, the writer/lead actress, they were a great touchstone. Thanks guys! Both projects were made with a similar methodology, but in the the end, the films are quite different, so there’s plenty of variety to keep audiences satisfied.

Could you share your most memorable moment during production?

I could not have been more proud of my team of collaborators than when I introduced them to the Waiheke Community at Piritahi Marae. We hadn’t started, so the excitement was palpable – nearly everyone was away from home and it felt like an adventure. The night one of our cast went AWOL for a couple of hours was another ‘memorable’ experience, but probably one I’ll keep to myself for a while longer.

Seen any other good New Zealand films recently?

I absolutely loved The Dark Horse and I’m a big fan of Taika Waititi, so looking forward to catching Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I happen to work for Flying Fish which is Lee Tamahori’s Company, so we are big followers of Mahana. These New Zealand films are wildly different and top shelf.

Who would be the best, and worst, people to bring along to your film?

I’d love to get a bunch of conservative, right wing, intolerant, greedy individuals trapped in the cinema with a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t normally go to festival or art house cinema. Orphans & Kingdoms is a beautiful heartfelt film about adults and kids, please bring some of them.


‘Orphans and Kingdoms’ Movie Times and Details