'River Queen' director chopped to save film

By AINSLEY THOMSON and RUSSELL BAILLIE

Acclaimed New Zealand director Vincent Ward has been dumped as director of River Queen in a bid to save the troubled film.

The film's insurer, a company called Film Finances, is understood to have asked for Ward, who co-wrote the script, to be removed as director late last week.

An industry source told the Herald Ward was behind schedule and his removal was aimed at saving the $13 million film, which has $3 million of taxpayer funding from the New Zealand Film Commission and the Film Production Fund.

Those left in charge were hoping the movie can be completed without a foreign director taking over, the source said.

Film Finances refused to talk to the Herald yesterday.

There is speculation that Alun Bollinger, the film's director of photography, could take over as director. The cinematographer - who shot Ward's first feature, Vigil, as well as Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners and many other prominent New Zealand movies - quit the film in July due to back problems exacerbated by also being the film's camera operator.

Film Production Fund chairman David Gascoigne said the removal of Ward was a disappointment.

He said the fund had faith in the project, which would be completed and in the cinemas.

"We think Vincent is a fine film- maker and he has made good films in New Zealand before. We liked the script a lot and it has a fabulous cast and crew ... We are very sad about what has happened, but the movie will be finished and it will be good."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, said her office was told on Friday night that Film Finances was removing Ward.

Helen Clark welcomed the decision to continue filming and said most New Zealanders wanted to see the movie completed.

River Queen producer Don Reynolds would not comment on the reason behind the removal of Ward as director.

"The investors' funds are protected. We are continuing to film and it will be finished at the end of November and there won't be any extra funds required. It is still going to be a Vincent Ward film; it is still his vision."

Filming of the River Queen, an epic set in the 1860s against the backdrop of the Maori Wars, resumed only three weeks ago after lead actress Samantha Morton had recovered from severe influenza, for which she was admitted to hospital.

The film also stars Kiefer Sutherland, Morton, Cliff Curtis and Temuera Morrison.

Drama Queen

Production of the film River Queen has been dogged by problems. They include:

Set struck by freezing conditions, slowing filming.

An advertisement placed in a local paper by "the Chiefs of Aotearoa" warned of impending disaster for the project.

Lead actor Samantha Morton admitted to hospital with influenza and complications.

Cliff Curtis crashed his 4WD into a house on his way to the set.