Paul (Matthew Macfadyen), a battle weary war photographer, returns to his remote New Zealand hometown when his father dies, and comes face to face with the past he left behind. To his surprise, he also finds sixteen year old Celia (Emily Barclay), the daughter of his first girlfriend, who hungers for the world beyond her small-town.
But many, including the members of both their families, frown upon the friendship and when Celia goes missing, Paul becomes increasingly persecuted as the prime suspect in her disappearance. As the violent and urgent truth gradually emerges, Paul is forced to confront the family tragedy and betrayal he ran from as a youth, and to face the grievous consequences of silence and secrecy that has surrounded his entire adult life.
Synopsis:
Festival/Awards:
2004: Toronto International Film Festival (Fipresci Prize),
2005: San Sebastián International Film Festival (Youth Jury Prize), Seattle International Film Festival (Special Jury Prize), Festival du Film Britannique de Dinard (Grand Prix), British Independent Film Awards (Best Actor - Matthew McFayden, Most Promising Newcomer - Emily Barclay), New Zealand Screen Awards (Best Film, Director- Brad McGann, Screenplay - Brad McGann, Actor - Matthew McFayden, Actress - Emily Barclay, Supporting Actor - Colin Moy, Supporting Actress - Jodie Rimmer, Cinematography - Stuart Dryburgh, Editing - Chris Plummer, Contribution to a Soundtrack - Richard Flynn, Chris Burt and Gethin Creagh), Shanghai Film Festival (Best Cinematography - Stuart Dryburgh)
Technical information:
colour
Digitised;
ratio;2.3:1
Dolby Digital Surrround EX