Marlborough support key for KAI

The talents of a Marlborough film crew are helping bring the vision of a neighbouring filmmaker to life.

Filmmaker Brooke Unger is the driving force behind the collaborative creation of his short film, KAI.

Set in Kaikōura, the film features a talented cast and crew from Canterbury, Kaikōura and Marlborough.

And the Marlborough team hope the region will help support their artistic endeavours and back the film’s crowdfunding campaign.

"Kai is a spirited 12-year-old boy from rural Kaikōura who has grown up spearfishing and horse riding, has taken on the role of caregiver for his father and younger brother, since his mother's untimely death,” Brooke explains.

“While Kai feels a duty to care for his family, he yearns for what he sees as a more conventional childhood and also wishes for greater power over his own life.

“After a heated confrontation with his father, Kai runs away into the night and embarks on a journey that alters the course of his life."

The Marlborough team include Director of Photography Daniel Wye, Head Lighting Technician Stu McKormic, Lighting Assistant Peata Panoho and Assistant Producer Amy McKinnon, also the project manager of Marlborough film group Random Directions.

Kaikōura’s Ezekiel Chann, plays Kai along with his real-life brother Mo, 7, and sister Tiger-Lilly, 9, who will be playing Kai's on-screen siblings.

The film includes underwater scenes filmed by Brooke himself with a PADI certified Rescue Diver, who happens to be Brooke’s high-school friend Hamish Ormond.

Brooke says taking the plunge in what was the coldest time of the year meant a speedy dive.

"We went out diving/scouting a couple weeks ago in possibly the coldest time of year - when all the snow was melting after that massive snowfall - It was freezing but Ezekiel and his father Kosal, came out with us.

“It was a brief dive because we all went borderline hyperthermic,” Brooke laughs, “but it was an awesome team building exercise.”

Brooke aims bridge geographical divides. As the project unfolds, it exemplifies how regional storytelling can resonate on a broader scale, celebrating both the diversity and the collective spirit of the communities involved.

“This opportunity to be able to make a film in Kaikoura, where I surf, hike and dive regularly - would really be a dream,” Brooke says.

KAI is set to film in early October and the team are currently crowd funding to help get this project made with the goal of future films collaborations.

With less than a week to go, to make a donation visit www.boosted.org.nz/projects/kai-rpdy14i1

Also check out the project on Facebook @KAI, A Short Film.