NZ feature film RUSSIAN SNARK opens 16 June

“…a touching, beautifully drawn Kiwi film … well worth hunting out.”
Sunday Star Times **** 12/6/11

This Thursday (16 June), the first feature film directed by Stephen Sinclair – celebrated NZ screenwriter (The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Braindead, Meet the Feebles) and playwright (Ladies Night, The Bach, The Bellbird) – will be released in cinemas nationwide.

Russian Snark – which Sinclair wrote as well as directed, and was produced by Liz DiFiore (Anacondas, The Amazing Race) – was inspired by the true life experience of a Russian couple who sailed to New Zealand in a tiny converted lifeboat in 1998.

Having reached Godzone, Russian filmmaker Misha (played by Stephen Papps – The End of the Golden Weather, Blowing It, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) struggles to further his career, which puts pressure on both his marriage to Nadia (Elena Stejko – Shortland Street, Mercy Peak) and his mental health, until the timely intervention of a young Polynesian neighbour (Stephanie Tauevihi – Shortland Street) saves him from himself and his obsessions.

The film poses the question, is it better to be a great artist or a good man?

Despite its potentially weighty subject, Russian Snark is “not a dour drama about the ‘tortured artist’,” says Sinclair. “It’s a hybrid beast that I guess you could call an eccentric comedy-drama-art movie. My aim was to create something both thought-provoking and entertaining.”

Based on the film’s success so far, it seems he’s succeeded. After debuting at last year’s New Zealand International Film Festival, Russian Snark was nominated in all major categories at the 2010 Qantas New Zealand Film & TV Awards, with Tauevihi winning the award for best supporting actress.

Since then it’s screened at four overseas film festivals, winning Best International Film at the Garden State Film Festival (US) in April.

“I’m thrilled at the response it’s received so far, both here and overseas, and that wider audiences in New Zealand finally have a chance to see it,” says Sinclair.

Russian Snark will screen in over 30 cinemas around New Zealand from 16 June.

ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES, including requests for the press kit, photos, interviews with the filmmakers, and screeners of the movie, please contact Nick Grant: nof.grant@gmail.com.