In 1975 NZ elected a conservative Government led by the extremely polarising figure of Robert Muldoon. The traditional rugby, racing and beer, pakeha dominated society of NZ was in in a collision course with a younger liberal NZ .The original movie Goodbye Pork was released in 1980 and a year later NZ was being ripped apart by anti apartheid protest over a South African Rugby Tour. Indigenous Maori were starting to mobilise ,protesting and occupying land that had been illegally confiscated by the Europeans over the previous 150 years'
The country in many ways resembled a eastern european autocracy with the state controlling most elements of NZers lives. Goodbye Pork Pie with its irreverence ,anarchic disregard for the rules and rebellion against authority perfectly captured the countries conflicted nature
30 years on and the social context has completely changed . What was once youthful rebellion now looks like narcissistic youths on the rampage. A narrative that was once pointed now seems pointless. Its a pity because the cast are perfectly agreeable and James Rolleston the lead has done some outstanding work previously. Sadly the filmmakers are clearly confused in thinking the original success was based on car chases and being a hoon.
It escapes me why the NZ Film commission would fund this movie over other more contemporary ideas. It was perhaps the need to spend funding before the fiscal year or it allowed some advantageous tax breaks. Who knows?
It escapes me why the NZ Film commission would fund this movie over other more contemporary ideas. It was perhaps the need to spend funding before the fiscal year or it allowed some advantageous tax breaks. Who knows?