Get Ready For Movie Magic!
20 years have passed since Britomart's regeneration began and they are marking the occasion with three special nights of free outdoor cinema in Takutai Square. Expect an international hit that just won't quit, a local classic that's (almost) 20 years old, and a Friday night line-up celebrating the hottest talent in indigenous filmmaking in association with the Māoriland film festival.
Mean Girls (2004) | Wednesday 12 March
Starring Lindsey Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, Lacey Chabert, Tina Fey and Amanda Seyfried. Written by Tina Fey. Directed by Mark Waters.
On Wednesdays, we wear pink. That’s what everyone is doing in Takutai Square on Wednesday 12 March to celebrate this outdoor screening of Mean Girls, Tina Fey’s classic teen movie. This iconic high-school drama came out about the same time as Britomart’s regeneration began, so it's the perfect flick to throw back to in these Takutai Nights screenings. Dressing up in pink can pay off: Britomart judges have two $250 Britomart Black Cards to give away to the best pink outfits.
Sione's Wedding (2006) | Thursday 13 March
Starring Oscar Kightley, Shimpal Lelisi, Robbie Magasiva, Iaheto Ah Hi, Dave Fane, Pua Magasiva, Teuila Blakely and Nathaniel Lees. Written by James Griffin and Oscar Kightley. Directed by Chris Graham.
Britomart just had to include this local classic in our Takutai Night series of outdoor screenings. Banned from Sione’s wedding for previous good-time mishaps, four friends need to find dates as a kind of good-behaviour bond to secure themselves an invitation. But the one-month deadline – and the minister’s stipulation that each of the boys arrives at the wedding with a “proper” girlfriend on their arm – creates a whole host of hilarious headaches.
Mauri Moana | Friday 14 March
For this Friday night screening, Britomart is teaming up with Ōtaki’s Māoriland Film Festival, the world’s largest annual celebration of indigenous storytelling excellence, to showcase a series of short films by the leading lights of indigenous cinema. Join in for an evening of cinema that speaks to "Ko te mauri, he mea huna ki te moana"—the hidden life force within the ocean. The festival’s leaders will be here to present the films in person.
This evening will include:
- Mahika Kai (2023) Directed by Kieran Ampetyane Satour | 10 mins | Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha: Set against the wild terrain of Wānaka, MAHIKA KAI follows a family of Kāi Tahu cultural conservators on their mission to rehabilitate disintegrating landscapes through the regeneration of their traditional food gathering practices.
- Aikāne (2023) Directed by Daniel Sousa | 14 mins | Hawai’i, Kanaka Oiwi: A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world.
- Vakaraitaka (2022) Directed by Fenton Bose Lutunatabua | 15 mins | Fiji: The recent swells of climate activism in the Pacific are inherently linked with the deep connections of past and future generations.
- Pasifika Drift (2023) Directed by Alana Hicks & Natasha Henry | 12 mins | Papua New Guinea: When a young Papua New Guinean/Australian man gets involved in a life of crime to provide for his pregnant girlfriend, a proud PNG woman challenges him to reconnect with his heritage.
Some Important Details:
There will be a number of folding chairs set up and available, and the lawn on Takutai Square will be kept clear for you to bring your own picnic rugs, cushions and whatever makes you comfortable (please no deckchairs with legs that’ll damage the lawn). Please note the event is alcohol-free (there is no BYO licence for Takutai Square).
Park for $2 per hour at the Downtown car park to a maximum of $15 on evenings and weekends. Find out more.