Scarfies

There is a certain paradox in watching New Zealand films as a New Zealander. It is a breath of fresh air to see one's own culture, surroundings and accent (!) on the big screen, and Scarfies was no exception. However what we see of ourselves is usually grim, dark, and dare I say it 'uneasy' (thanks Sam). Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoying this fantastic film. To see it in the town where it is set, in a crowd of people who the characters were modeled on was a singularly unique experience. Watching the premiere was more like being at an Otago match than inside a film theatre! The performances were all outstanding, and the plot delivered some pearlers. The scene where Charlie Bleakley scrambles around on the roof was nail-biting. The overall tone of the film captured the spirit of Dunedin... bleak, grey, yet full of spirited uni students having a ball despite the weather and financial adversity. The state of the flat was slightly exaggerated - but not by much! I found the sh*t scene a little bit Trainspotting-esque, but then I had my eyes closed for most of that part anyway. Overall, it's great to see some quality Kiwi action on the big screen.

I love this movie. It's funny and real and i'm sure most kiwi's can relate to it. The whole moving away from home to go to Uni in Otago or somewhere else. It's cleaver and I love the part when they superglue the guy's mouth and hands together and lock him in the basement is just... classic. I'm really thinking about buying it on DVD. It was on TV2 here in New Zealand on a saturday and it pulled in more viewers than most of the sunday night blockbuster movies that come from the US this year. Except I can't turn on my fellow moo-loo's OTAGO SUCKS!!! *Rings cow bell* sorry you would get it if you are a kiwi.

This film is another fine example of what New Zealand filmmakers can do when they hold the audiences' enjoyment above their own artistic w**k-ness.

The Sarkies Brothers have created an extremely (un)pleasant film that isn't really about University life at all, but about those staple cinematic conventions -paranoia, murder and er, flatting.

I strongly urge any one not from New Zealand to check out this little gem. God knows when it'll get released anywhere else though. I hope it gets onto screens in the U.S.

One quibble however, three times in the film, characters describe each other as 'jerks'. Honestly, who in New Zealand uses that word with a straight face? It's such a sitcom-ism. 'Dick' would have been much more suitable in my eyes.

Provides a wonderful view of Dunedin and the student lifestyle. Dunedin is very much a University town which becomes sleepy during the breaks (I know - I used to live there) so focusing on students is great. The plot is quite good and realistic but the thriller side of the movement isn't as thrilling as it perhaps could be. The suspense isn't built high enough. However it does bring up some very interesting questions about life and being true to what you believe in.

Scarfies was a great movie from a very small film making country. Done on a relatively small budget and full of imagery and lanuage of Dunedin students living in virtual poverty; it is a witty and black comedy.

The plot centres around five students who take over an abandoned house and make it their own. They discover in the basement a huge drug planation left by the previous owner, which they decide to sell for moderate profit. Their life style improves, and relationships develop.

All goes well until the return of the drug crop's owner.

A fantastic soundtrack of New Zealand music, well worth checking out.