A feature film from New Zealand by director Taika Waititi (2016).
Having loved the recent film Jojo Rabbit by director Taika Waititi, am was curious to watch some of his earlier films, which I had somehow not all had on my radar. So recently I watched Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), which is based on the novel Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump.
Both Barry Crump and Taika Waititi are from New Zealand, and the country plays an important role in the film. They also shot the film there, mainly in the bush, so you can see amazing landscapes, and - if you're anything like me - want to immediately plan your next holiday.
The film is about Ricky, a teenager who lives a difficult life in the child welfare system. He is brought to foster parents Bella and Hec, who live very far from the next town, and so Ricky needs to adjust to his new circumstances. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, Ricky and Hec and their dogs end up living in the bush, with child welfare services and police looking for them.
It is essentially an adventure film, but it is also hilarious. The protagonists have great dialogues, and the rebellious teenager is a wonderful character full of surprises - for example, he learned to compose Haiku to express his feelings, which he does frequently. Cultural references from Tupac to Lord of the Rings and world literature add plenty of humour as well.
As he also managed in Jojo Rabbit, Waititi mixes smart comedy with very touching, deep moments, and manages to create a film that is indeed a jewel. Sam Neill as Hec and Julian Dennison as Ricky are great team and deliver convincing performances.
(Images: IMDB)