Shroud of secrecy around movie

TWIZEL'S Falstone Camp will become Capernaum, a 3000-year-old fishing village, and Lake Benmore the Sea of Galilee in the biblical movie Kingdom Come to be shot next year.

Wellington-based film company South Vineyard Ltd has decided North Otago scenery can be portrayed as ancient Israel.

Jesus lived in Capernaum after becoming a prophet and it was the home of Peter, Andrew, James and John - the four fishermen who became disciples.

Details about the film are scarce and the Waitaki District Council and development board have signed a confidentiality clause until South Vineyard officially announce the project is going ahead.

However, a visit to the site yesterday showed work is already under way with part of the camp fenced off and controlled by security staff.

This week South Vineyard confirmed the independent film would be based in Wellington, but shooting would be done in the North and South Islands from early next year.The director is Dean Wright, a visual effects supervisor on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian.

A long-time Falstone camper said regulars were aware of the film and were generally supportive. They were happy to keep quiet about the planned film as "rubberneckers" may invade their hideout.

The film is expected to be shot early in the year with the village dismantled before April.

- © Fairfax NZ News