Meng Foon: The Symbolic Bridge between Māori and Chinese Communities

Meng is a new, bilingual documentary co-directed and co-produced by Steven Chow (DEGANZ) and Julie Zhu (DEGANZ) and edited by fellow member Josh Yong. It highlights how titular subject Meng Foon’s mahi in the NZ Human Rights Commission offers “a particular kind of hope.” His fluency in both Cantonese and Te Reo Māori lead many to call him a symbolic bridge between Māori and Chinese (or tauiwi) communities.

The insightful documentary follows the former Gisborne mayor and current Race Relations Commissioner through a year in his life. Audiences gain insights into how he navigates the public role at a national level after 18 years in local politics. Meng displays unfaltering determination to promote the rights of tāngata whenua as he engages with human rights issues and racism.

While focusing on his professional career, the documentary does not shy away from his personal ups, downs, and transformations.

Meng premieres at 8:30 pm, Monday 12 September, on Whakaata Māori and will be available online on MĀORI+. The documentary was made with funding from Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.

Watch the trailer

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Tansley Finds Success in Future and Past Projects

DEGANZ member Rebecca Tansley’s second film for the New Zealand Opera, The Strangest of Angels, is currently in pre-production. While her first film with NZO, Semele, was of the titular opera’s live performance, this new project will be filmed on location.

The Strangest of Angels is a new opera inspired by the life of internationally renowned New Zealand author Janet Frame. Set in Seacliff Mental Hospital in 1945, this story sheds light on mental health from the past and present. The story contrasts the experiences of a traumatised nurse torn between power and empathy with that of a calm, rational person trapped in the asylum.

Semele was well received internationally; Naxos/Opus Arte picked up the DVD rights, and audiences can stream it on Marquee TV.

Additionally, Rebecca’s narrative short film The Finding adds two more international festival selections to its list. It was screened in Vermont on 24 August at the 8th annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, a festival dedicated to celebrating first or second-time filmmakers. The 14th annual Lady Filmmakers Festival, which celebrates women filmmakers, will feature the project in Los Angeles in September.

Congratulations, Rebecca! We wish you all the best for your upcoming project.

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On the Podcast: Directing Kids – A Case Study with Steven Chatterton

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Earlier in the year, DEGANZ was joined by UK director/writer Steven Chatterton to discuss his approach when directing kids. He shares the tools he found useful when working with a first time child actor in his short film Adnan.

Steven discusses how important the tools were when working on every aspect of Adnan, through auditions, rehearsals and on set. Enjoy this seminar on The DEGANZ Podcast.

Adnan is the story of an imaginative ten year old Syrian refugee boy who has had to flee his home country with his mother after the rest of their family were killed and their neighbourhood destroyed. Now settled in the UK, he must use all his creativity to break through his mother’s PTSD or risk losing her forever.

The short film is not currently available to watch online. Head here to read more about it.

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Beings Being Better Beings in Comedy Web Series Self Help

DEGANZ member Michelle Ang explores the tumultuous journey of healing and self-improvement in the new comedy web series, Self Help, out now on YouTube! She and Rawiri Jobe directed four episodes each of the eight-part series, produced by Wrestler and made with the support of NZOA.

In the aftermath of a devastating break-up with his boyfriend, Nikau begrudgingly searches for healing through any means possible. After episode one, aptly titled Intervention, Nikau fumbles through the advice of his friends and whānau to get out of his heartbreak rut. From working out to pottery to chakra cleansing crystals, the series comedically unpacks the growing pains that stem from young heartache.

While this is Michelle’s first series directing gig, she has quickly proven herself as an acting and directing powerhouse. The Emmy-nominated actress for her role in Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462 has also recently worked on Hair Now, a docuseries that explores the relationship between Pan-Asian women and hair.

Watch the series

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DEGANZ Members Selected for Script to Screen’s FilmUp

DEGANZ members were selected for the 10th annual FilmUp Mentorship Programme!

Kim Webby(writer/director/producer)

Kim is a documentary maker with over 30 years of experience and a dozen documentaries and long-form television series. The Price of Peace, her first feature doco, won four international awards in 2015. Her recent work includes directing three modern art documentaries for television and two features in development.

Marina Alofagia McCartney (writer/director)

Marina is an award-winning filmmaker and scholar. Her last film Vai, an anthology feature that explored 9 Moana Pasifika wahine, opened the NATIVE programme at the 2019 Berlinale and screened in NZIFF, SXSW, Edinburgh Film Festival, MIFF, and more. Additionally, she is a PhD candidate studying Moana Pasifika film.

Tom Augustine (writer/director)

Tom is a well-known Tāmaki Makaurau writer and filmmaker. He won the NZ Writers Guild Seed Advanced Grant (2020) and participated in Script to Screen’s Story Camp (2020) to develop Arsonist, his debut feature screenplay. Other credits include directing and producing The Story of Te Awe for Auckland Museum, his short film Long Time Coming, and many music videos.

This six-month professional development programme, run by Script to Screen, for writers, directors, and producers selects eight filmmakers each year. The participants are supported to take the next steps in their careers through mentorship with an experienced industry professional, group work, and round tables. See the full list of participants.

Congratulations to all our members selected!

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