Kiwi film-makers urged to aim for best

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Russell Crowe as Aramoana gunman David Gray? It could happen if Kiwi film-makers get bold, Film Commission boss Graeme Mason says.

Mr Mason called on local producers, writers and directors at the Screen Production and Development Association conference late last week to approach overseas Kiwi stars to amp up the wattage of local films.

"A lot of very well- known actors that come out of here haven't been approached," he said.

Australian actors, including Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett, regularly starred in low-budget Australian films and New Zealanders should follow that lead, he said afterwards. "Russell Crowe is proudly, vehemently vocal that he's New Zealand and Australian.

"If you went to him with some great little indie film . . . For example, if [film- maker Robert] Sarkies had gone to him with [Aramoana massacre film] Out of the Blue, maybe he would have done it."

That film was critically acclaimed, but a big-name actor could have gained it a larger global audience. "It's just a question of pure marketability." The answer might often be no, but it was worth trying.

Director and screenwriter Vincent Ward, who has worked with Temuera Morrison, Robin Williams, Kiefer Sutherland and Tom Hanks, agreed that casting well- known actors could help raise the overseas profile of local films. "That makes a lot of sense."

Some Australian stars made a point of trying to do one Australian film a year and overseas Kiwi actors might jump at the chance to do the same, he said. "They feel a certain loyalty."

It was easier said than done, though. "Often people help you when you've done work with them.

"I don't know how viable that is for a newer film-maker to expect that kind of favour to happen."