Life still the same despite documentary

The Ground We Won is wowing audiences at international film festivals. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Despite awards and glowing reviews from international press, life hasn't changed much for one of the stars of the Reporoa rugby documentary The Ground We Won.

The documentary, which tracks the fortunes of the Reporoa Rugby Club A team, premiered in April and has been shown as film festivals all over the world.

Main character Kelvin Thomas, who is father to 6-year-old twins, said he was still single, still had crops to plant and still had cows to milk.
The team never thought the film would be so popular, he said.

"We just knew we were punchy characters who have a good laugh and they did a good job of portraying that."

Mr Thomas said he had found some fame in certain circles.
"I've been going to the Hawkes Bay and there I had people coming up to me and recognising me at the Bay of Plenty Shield Challenge. It is a bit bizarre."

He said the club had attracted new members and a coach.
"We have more players than we have had in previous years, and we have got a coach now for next year."

Director Chris Pryor said audience response to the documentary has been great.
"The audience response has just been wonderful - be they from Melbourne, Switzerland, the USA or Warsaw. Remarkably the things that audiences appreciate about the film at home in New Zealand, they also seem to be appreciate elsewhere; like the humour, the male friendships, the social dimensions of sports life."

He said the film had received some great international media attention.
"The film was named as one of the three best film at Camden International Film Festival by the prestigious Sight & Sound Magazine."

The film also received a rave review in the Sydney Morning Herald, who said "The game [rugby] ... has produced little of greatness in cinema. Until now.
"It deserves to find an audience."

A DVD of The Ground We Won will be released through Madman Entertainment on November 18, and will be available for purchase at most DVD retailers nationwide.