Haunting tale reveals director's roots

Katie Wolfe's new film explores issues of violence, love and culture in Taranaki.

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The Taranaki story of two young men trying to wade through their own personal hells has been brought to life in film.

Former New Plymouth actress and director Katie Wolfe has just finished Redemption, a short film which is based on a story by Taranaki writer Phil Kawana.

Redemption is the dark story of two Maori kids Zig and Jaffa. The boys have discovered a way to take the violence and pain in their lives and transform it into pleasure, healing and ultimately love.

However, in this coming of age story, survival may not bring a happy ending.

"When I first read Phil Kawana's short story, I became haunted by it," Wolfe said of the original yarn.

"Like many of Phil's stories from his two collections, they are bleak, raw and, most potently, they are crafted in an authentic voice that makes you wonder how does he know these things happen?"

So far the movie, which was finished at Universal Studios, has done the rounds at festivals all over the world but locals will have the opportunity to see the film at Top Town Cinema 5 on September 5.

"It is set in Taranaki in 1995 and is an incredibly bleak story," Wolfe said.

"I am quite keen to come and see it down there.

"Redemption is like a love letter to Taranaki.

"That might be an emotive thing to say but I feel incredibly strong about it. Taranaki is connected to my Maori side and this is my first Maori film."

"Redemption is a love story, a coming of age story, a Maori story, a Taranaki story. It is not my story but a story I connect to."

The film is part of the New Zealand International Film Festival, running in New Plymouth from September 2-19.

Wolfe has been involved in the New Zealand performing arts and screen industries for the past 15 years.

Since Redemption's completion in May last year, it has been selected for Sundance, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Telluride and New York Film Festivals and won Best Audience Film Award at the Prague Film Festival and Best Short Film at the St Tropez Antipodes Film Festival. It was also a finalist in all short film categories at the Qantas Film and TV Awards, winning best cinematography.

Wolfe has now cemented herself as a director of television. She has directed on Shortland Street and was the establishing director on TV2's drama Go Girls.

- © Fairfax NZ News