Shopping
Berlin Film Festival-winning coming-of-age drama set in 1981 New Zealand. The small-town life of half-Samoan Willie is dominated by an enthusiasm for muscle cars, domestic abuse and a boring retail job until a more glamorous lifestyle presents itself. Shot in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast, this is the feature debut from writer-directors Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland whose previous short film Six Dollar Fifty Man won Best Short at Sundance 2010.
After a chance encounter with charismatic thief Bennie and his close-knit gang of 'shoppers', Willie is seduced into a criminal world that allows him to escape mounting tensions with his volatile father. But as Bennie's hold over him grows, Willie finds himself in over his head.
- Director:
- Mark AlbistonLouis Sutherland (feature debuts)
- Writer:
- Mark AlbistonLouis Sutherland
- Cast:
- Kevin PauloJulian DennisonJacek KomanAlistair Browning
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Reviews & comments
Flicks, Team
flicksFar more depressing than it needed to be
For a film that is beautifully shot and acted, it was damn depressing. Why does NZ insist on making movies which focus on the dark side of NZ life? Why focus on child abuse, drug use? The story would have worked without the child abuse. The whole cinema left depressed, quiet, and dragged down. But, it was a beautifully filmed movie. Great music, exquisite...
Love Kapiti!
Went this morning - loved it! Another homegrown Kiwi film with an awesome cast. Amazing job by Kevin Paulo who played "Willie" - cannot believe he was picked for the cast while he was eating lunch at Coastlands mall and had not acted before - I see a bright future ahead! Little Julian Dennison is gorgeous. Quite a long movie - but enjoyed every minute!
Great movie!
Variety
pressA rarely explored sociopolitical context that bristles with racial tension lends raw vitality to coming-of-ager “Shopping,” a rough-hewn but confident first feature from New Zealand duo Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland.
New Zealand Herald
pressEmerges as an affecting, memorable movie that is sure to figure in local best-of-year lists. Highly recommended.
Hollywood Reporter
pressInfused with obvious personal investment but too undisciplined to have much dramatic impact.
Flicks, Team
flicksVariety
pressA rarely explored sociopolitical context that bristles with racial tension lends raw vitality to coming-of-ager “Shopping,” a rough-hewn but confident first feature from New Zealand duo Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland.
New Zealand Herald
pressEmerges as an affecting, memorable movie that is sure to figure in local best-of-year lists. Highly recommended.
Hollywood Reporter
pressInfused with obvious personal investment but too undisciplined to have much dramatic impact.
Far more depressing than it needed to be
For a film that is beautifully shot and acted, it was damn depressing. Why does NZ insist on making movies which focus on the dark side of NZ life? Why focus on child abuse, drug use? The story would have worked without the child abuse. The whole cinema left depressed, quiet, and dragged down. But, it was a beautifully filmed movie. Great music, exquisite...
Love Kapiti!
Went this morning - loved it! Another homegrown Kiwi film with an awesome cast. Amazing job by Kevin Paulo who played "Willie" - cannot believe he was picked for the cast while he was eating lunch at Coastlands mall and had not acted before - I see a bright future ahead! Little Julian Dennison is gorgeous. Quite a long movie - but enjoyed every minute!
Great movie!
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