By HAMISH RUTHERFORD in Whakatane
Get ready for Oscar fever East Coast style. An 11-minute film shot in the car park of the Te Kaha pub in the Eastern Bay of Plenty gave the area instant fame when academy award nominations were announced yesterday.
The film Two Cars,
One Night, which was made for $70,000 over four nights, has been nominated in the live action short film category of the Academy Awards on February 27.
Since its premiere in Opotiki in 2003, the film has gained mass acclaim, winning 10 awards at film festivals in New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the United States.
The film depicts a fleeting romance between nine-year-old Romeo and 11-year-old Polly as they wait in cars while their parents drink at the pub.
Director Taika Waititi said because it was filmed at night, Two Cars, One Night "could have been filmed anywhere" but it still had a major influence from the area.
Mr Waititi grew up in Raukokore, near Waihau Bay, while the stars Rangi Ngamoki, Hutini Waikato and Te Ahiwaru Ngamoki all got parts after auditions at Maraenui school.
Talking to The Daily Post from the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Mr Waititi said he doubted his home area would become overly excited by the latest development.
"I guess they'll be proud because I'm from the area and the kids in the film are. If it wins I'm sure everyone will talk about it but as for fever it's not really our style."
Mr Waititi said he would be too busy working on other projects to engage in Oscar promotion for Two Cars, One Night
"I hate promotion and everything that goes with it, getting photos taken and being interviewed. "
The success of the film has come as something of a shock in Opotiki. Information centre manager Tina Cornwell admitted she hadn't heard of it until she learned of the Oscar nomination.
