Gonella Productions

LANGUAGE: English

Genre: Musical, Fantasy, True story, LGBTQ
Running Time: 20 minutes
Year of production: 2020

SYNOPSIS

A musical fantasy with a surprisingly tender love story at it’s heart. Infamous Māori Drag Queen Carmen “Gurl” finally accepts her true-self when she falls in love with a fading rugby star on an ill-fated night in New Zealand 1975.

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

Production Company: Pātangaroa Entertainment
Film exports/World sales: Gonella Productions

CAST

Gurl / Young Carmen – Jay Tewake
Sapphire – Jackie Clarke
Gypsy – Brady Peeti
Ed – Regan Taylor
White Knight – Aaron Ward
Carmen – Mika
Mystik Maiden – Rosanna Raymond
Mystik Ra – Ramon Te Wake
Mystik Ama – Amanaki Prescott
Lofty Queen – Amanduh La Hoare
Terracotta Blade – Danielle Hayes
Whaea – Whetu Fala
Rugby Lad – Richie Cattell

MAIN CREDITS

Director: Mika X
Screenwriter: Mika X
Producer: Mika X, The Aroha Collective
Consulting Producer: Georgina Allison Conder, Philippa Campbell
Director of Photography: Darryl Ward
Original Songs: Mika Haka
Music Score: Penny Dodd, Mark Dennison
Editing: Anastasia Doniants
Sound Editing: Derek Metivier
Charity: The Aroha Collective

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Genre: Musical, Fantasy
Sub-genre: True Story, LGBTQ
Language: English
Country of origin: New Zealand
Year of production: 2020
Total running time: 20 minutes
Shooting format: Digital
Color type: Color
Aspect ratio: 1:85:1 (Flat)
Sound format: 5.1, Stereo

AWARDS

Ngā Whanaunga CineMāori Audience Award - Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (2020)
Whenua Māori Film of the Year - Wairoa Māori Film Festival (2020)
Māori Director Award - Wairoa Māori Film Festival (2020)
Best Production Design - Indie Shorts Awards Seoul (2020)
Best Original Score - Indie Shorts Awards New York (2020)
Best LGBT Film - Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (2021)
Outstanding Achievement Award - Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (2021)
Best Actor for Medium Length Film - Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival (2021)
Honorable Mention Award - Santa Monica Film Festival (2021)

FESTIVAL SELECTIONS

Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival - Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts (2020)
Wairoa Māori Film Festival (2020)
PÖFF Shorts - Black Nights Film Festival (2020)
New Faces New Voices (2020)
Indie Shorts Awards Seoul (2020)
Indie Shorts Awards New York (2020)
Cinequest Film & VR Festival (2021)
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (2021)
Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (2021)
Berlin Shorts Award (2021)
California Indies (2021)
Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival (2021)
Santa Monica Film Festival (2021)