Old film project to get back on track

The cast of The Taneatua Express includes Matariki Whatarau (left), Dai Henwood, Matiu Sadd, Tama Jarman and James Tito. Photo / Supplied

A dream that had been relegated to the back-burner, and even periodically shelved, has seen daylight again.

Film-maker Matiu Sadd first pitched the idea of The Taneatua Express about five years ago, although he admits the project had been in his head and in his heart for a lot longer.

Born in Rotorua and brought up in Tauranga, Sadd has whanau connections to Taneatua through the Rickit whanau.

He said: "I have aunties and uncles and Nanas who, a long time ago, used to reside in Taneatua.

"Every time I drive through there, it tugs on the heartstrings a little, there's just something about the place I connect with."

First proposed as a feature-length film, The Taneatua Express, was born from the express passenger train that was operated by the New Zealand Railways Department and ran between Auckland and Taneatua, serving centres such as Tauranga and Te Puke. It began in 1929 and operated until 1959.

"In 2011, and after kicking the project around for a while, I entered it in what was the the Make My Movie competition but, unfortunately, didn't win.

"Without a doubt, it has always been a project of passion but, since 2011, life and work have got in the way and The Taneatua Express was put on the back-burner."

Sadd said changes to production and viewing platforms and also funding had changed the original concept of a feature film to one of a great web series.

Under Commotion Ltd, a media production collective formed by Sadd, Mikee Carpinter and Warren Green, The Taneatua Express proposal is now with New Zealand On Air to be considered for web series funding.

"We're lucky to have partnered with Maori Television in this project and our ultimate goal is to produce The Taneatua Express as a television programme.

"I'm under no illusion about funding, the competition is brutal, but we've got our fingers crossed."

Set in the backblocks of the Bay of Plenty, The Taneatua Express is described as a heartfelt, down-to-earth story with a lot of laughs.

It's about the tale of two brothers and their unlikely journey of trying to make a doomed-from-the-start, grassroots, tour bus operation succeed.

Key characters are played by Matariki Whatarau (Robert), who is a member of the Modern Maori Quartet and whose screen credits include The Pa Boys, Deadlands and Find Me a Maori Bride; James Tito (Maurice) also a member of the Modern Maori Quartet, and has been seen on The Kick, When We Go to War and Awhi Tapu; and Tama Jarman (Dubba Doo) who was the lead in Hillary and has appeared on Shortland Street.

Funny man Dai Henwood also appears in the teaser for The Taneatua Express.

"Aside from my personal connection to the region , The Taneatua Express has also drawn inspiration from the likes of Came A Hot Friday, the original Terry Teo and the Gun Runners, and the more recent feature, Boy," Sadd said.

"It's these Kiwi screen classics, among others, that have showcased Aotearoa.

"It's all about moments where we don't take ourselves too seriously and aren't afraid to shine a light and laugh at who we are as a people."

Sadd finds out in October whether The Taneatua Express will be funded.