Who knew that a 13-year-old kid with a penchant for “throwing rocks” and “kicking stuff” would be the hero Kiwis wanted? Ten years ago, Ricky Baker stole the nation’s hearts when he accidentally went on the run with his grumpy foster uncle Hec and taught us all the true meaning of the “skux life”. The Weekly talks with the stars about the movie that changed New Zealand cinema.
Taika Waititi
His films have topped the box office and won Oscars, but director Taika says the charming story remains one of his favourites.
“I don’t usually watch my films once I’ve finished them, but I watched it about a month ago and thought, ‘This is a really good film,’” the 50-year-old tells.
“And I never think that about my stuff.”
While Hunt for the Wilderpeople went on to become the highest-grossing New Zealand movie ever, Taika admits he had no idea how it would be received until he was sitting in the theatre at the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, hearing the laughs around him.
“You’re kind of guessing when you make a film. We just kind of wing it.”
He thinks the secret to its success is that it’s “a really joyful, feel-good film”.
He adds, “The world needs silly things, and it needs stories that have heart and humanity.”
When asked where he imagines Ricky and Hec are today, Taika answers in his typical dry manner, “Probably dead,” before adding with a smile, “I like to think they’re out there somewhere, still searching for the skux life.”
Sir Sam Neill
Sam knows a thing or two about success and from the moment he read the script for Wilderpeople, he knew it would be something special.
“You can never tell for sure, but I thought we had a pretty good shot,” says the 78-year-old, who was reduced to tears after a special screening last month.
“It was all there on the page. I was already excited to work with Taika because he was such a new and original voice in indie theatre. So really, we just had to listen to him and we’d be all right.”
Reflecting on the days spent in the Waitākere Ranges playing grumpy uncle Hector, Sam only has good memories.
“We had such a divine cast, everyone was funny, apart from me – and we made sure we enjoyed ourselves.”
Of course, one of the highlights was bonding with his young sidekick Julian Dennison. Though it was the now-23-year-old’s first film, Sam says it was obvious he was destined for big things.
“I’m very proud of him, but it’s no surprise to me,” Sam smiles.
“He’s always been quality.”
Rachel House
Rachel has worked with Taika on sets all around the world, but she says there is something about Wilderpeople that stands out above the rest.
“We had such a great team of people,” the 54-year-old shares.
“We went to Ohakune for about a week and it was just so nice to be together. It was a real sense of whānau.”
While Rachel’s performance as “relentless, like the Terminator” welfare officer Paula is one of the film’s highlights, the humble Moana star admits she never thought the movie would be as cherished as it is.
“We’re not great at celebrating ourselves over here,” she says.
“So when it was so loved and owned by the country, it was a lot. It was such a wonderful surprise.”
Yet a decade on, Rachel understands why people around the world connect so deeply with it.
“It’s about belonging and chosen family, and finding your place in the world and connecting with others. And that’s what we’re trying to do as humans.”
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
When Whina star Tioreore landed the role of Kahu, she was only 14 and had never been in a movie before. A decade later, she has plenty of credits to her name, but she still looks back on the whole process from audition to premiere with a sense of wonder.
“I’d wanted to be an actress since I was 10,” she explains.
“I remember auditioning at home with my dad and my siblings, then coming to Auckland from Hawke’s Bay, and meeting Taika and Julian for the first time in the casting room. It was exciting.”
The audition process wasn’t the only learning curve. When the film was first released, the cast toured the country doing Q&A screenings. The 26-year-old laughs as she recalls that it took her a while to realise she didn’t have to watch the film every time.
“We got to the fourth cinema talk when someone told me that I didn’t have to watch the movie. I was like, ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me that before?!’”
