Premiere screening of The Mountain: 'The Maunga is the star'

It’s not often a film has a world premiere in the regions. But when the movie features a region’s biggest star, it’s only fitting.

New Zealand film The Mountain has just held its opening night in New Plymouth, with hundreds turning out to see their beloved maunga on the big screen.

“It's about Taranaki Maunga. There’s no other place to have the world premiere,” said director Rachel House (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Kāi Tahu).

“One hundred percent the maunga is the star.”

House is a well-known New Zealand actor with film credits including Moana, SOUL, Boy, Hunt For The Wilderpeople and Whale Rider. But she’s just as accomplished behind the camera.

“I've been a director for years, particularly in theatre, commercials and short films; it’s been a great love of mine for many years," said House.

The Mountain marked her directorial debut in a feature film.

“Tom Furniss’ original script appealed to me because it has kids at the very centre of it and also a mountain. Tom’s original script didn’t name who the mountain was, and I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to try and explain how we feel about our maunga.

“When Māori first introduce ourselves, we name our maunga. Maunga are ancient living ancestors who have shaped and formed our identity, belonging and connection to each other,” explained House.

“I wanted to share with people what it is and the way that we feel.”

The Mountain is a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission, each of them seeking a form of healing. While on this epic adventure, they discover the power of friendship.

The trio is led by Sam, played by Elizabeth Atkinson (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Kāi Tahu), who believed the mountain would heal her cancer.

“I love that my character, Sam, got to feel a connection with Taranaki in the end. She also made these two amazing friends that she’ll always have,” said Atkinson.

Local actor Reuben Francis played Mallory, one of Sam’s friends. He said he was blown away to work with House. “I thought, oh my goodness, it’s Rachel House from one of my favourite movies, Hunt for the Wilderpeople.”

Terence Daniel (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Kuki Airani – Aitutaki) rounded out the trio – playing Bronco.

“This film is amazing. It's the best movie I have made. The only one,” he laughed.

"I’m the first in our family to be in a movie. My mum was excited, and I was excited because I got the part out of heaps of kids."

House said the young cast was a dream to work with.

“I think they’re brilliant, and I'm so proud of them. I've been an acting coach for many years, and it’s always such a joy to work with young people. This age group — 11-year-olds in particular — bring such magic,” she said.

Most of the filming and pre-production work was done in Taranaki.

“It’s been such a privilege and honour to work here, and we have been so fortunate the mana whenua here have wanted to engage with us on this project; they’ve been so supportive, and we’re so grateful,” she reflected.

“The cast and crew were deeply respectful about shooting in that environment.”

In the story, the mountain plays a role in Sam’s healing. That idea was communicated in part thanks to a cloak of cloud the maunga is known for.

The cast and crew filmed on many blue-sky days when Taranaki Maunga was out in all its glory — with Wētā FX adding clouds back in during post-production.

However, for the evening of the premiere, the maunga donned a real cloak – wrapped in soft cloud against another blue sky background.

Taranaki has provided a movie location before. Tom Cruise's flick The Last Samurai was primarily shot in the region, with Taranaki Maunga standing in for Mount Fuji.

But there’s now some new film history to be proud of, with the maunga playing themselves.

“When I started this project, I knew I wanted audiences everywhere to see some of the wisdom and magic that exists within Te Taiao, the natural world.

"To fall in love with our adventurous kids who discover that friendship can see you through just about anything," mused House.

But Daniel warned it might be a heart-wrenching watch.

“It can be emotional. There's happy parts, funny parts," he smiled. "Yeah, I reckon you should watch it and see what you think.”