When Arthur, self-proclaimed son of God, sets off on a mission to find the Queen of Heaven, his world changes.When Arthur, self-proclaimed son of God, sets off on a mission to find the Queen of Heaven, his world changes.When Arthur, self-proclaimed son of God, sets off on a mission to find the Queen of Heaven, his world changes.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 4 nominations total
Photos
Robert McCulley
- Sandy
- (as Rob McCulley)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Review quote: "No I haven't watched the movie yet. The only thing I know about it is the synopsis and the "highly suspicious" reviews about it..." Etc. etc.
I'm an ex professional movie reviewer from the UK now living in the Czech Republic, "submissive_element"'s negative and highly suspicious 'review' suggesting all reviews are a bias from people who worked on the movie or were cast members is complete and utter twaddle.
If you aren't moved by this massively unexpected piece of brilliance, then you're probably dead. For the reviewer in question to say he hasn't even seen the film but suggest it is suspicious is, for my money, simply bad manners. The characters, story, social issues and tribulations contained therein conjour something completely unexpected and magical.
Example: A scene at a paedophiles funeral - with an open floor - where the deceased's friends and the mother of the molested suicide victims speak of the deceased will shock you and stun you for both its raw shock factor, humanity and yet balanced love, and this is not even close to being one of the most thought provoking, endearing scenes in the film.
It's hard to know what to make of the movie, but this isn't a low budget Kiwi flick, it's a huge movie that does more on so many levels than most of the worldwide celluloid output of the past few years. It may have a lower budget than many films, but I've seen movies with a lot more money pumped in to them that don't yield a fraction of the response it raised in me.
To not try and track it down is your loss. I hope "Submissive Element" is reading this review, and does so accordingly.
I'm an ex professional movie reviewer from the UK now living in the Czech Republic, "submissive_element"'s negative and highly suspicious 'review' suggesting all reviews are a bias from people who worked on the movie or were cast members is complete and utter twaddle.
If you aren't moved by this massively unexpected piece of brilliance, then you're probably dead. For the reviewer in question to say he hasn't even seen the film but suggest it is suspicious is, for my money, simply bad manners. The characters, story, social issues and tribulations contained therein conjour something completely unexpected and magical.
Example: A scene at a paedophiles funeral - with an open floor - where the deceased's friends and the mother of the molested suicide victims speak of the deceased will shock you and stun you for both its raw shock factor, humanity and yet balanced love, and this is not even close to being one of the most thought provoking, endearing scenes in the film.
It's hard to know what to make of the movie, but this isn't a low budget Kiwi flick, it's a huge movie that does more on so many levels than most of the worldwide celluloid output of the past few years. It may have a lower budget than many films, but I've seen movies with a lot more money pumped in to them that don't yield a fraction of the response it raised in me.
To not try and track it down is your loss. I hope "Submissive Element" is reading this review, and does so accordingly.
There seemed a very good atmosphere in the audience at the Cineworld, Haymarket, London, especially as we were treated to an intro talk on the THE INSATIABLE MOON by first-time film Director Rosemary Riddell. Also in the audience were the Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner and Lord Justice Thorpe.
THE INSATIABLE MOON took almost ten years in the making is set in New Zealand and tells the tale of a bunch of mentally impaired misfits that dwell in a boarding house within the local community of Ponsonby much like an "extended family of outcasts" much to the dismay of many of the residents.
There are activists within the community that would like to close the commune down, sell the property and move the residents away from their town.
The main-stay of the commune is the very down to earth "street-talking" Bob Davis (played admirably by Greg Johnson) – who likes to "tell it like it is" and against all trials and tribulations, it is his efforts that keep the "family" together.
There are a bunch of weird characters within the commune – the most notable being Arthur (play superbly by Maori actor Rawiri Paratene – who had a starring role in the Oscar nominated Whale Rider). Arthur truly believes that he is the second son of God and his charisma is such, that it tends to convince some of those he meets that there may be something in his claims.
A side story to the plot concerns the kind hearted Margaret (Sara Wiseman) who is having emotional issues in her marriage in her overwhelming desire to cope with getting pregnant in a loveless marriage, who falls for the "purity" of Arthur's crusade to save the boarding house from being taken over and she eventually falls for Arthur
There are some good comic moments and some very sad moments due to the subject matter but, putting these moments aside, this is at it's heart a story about community bonding and stresses that however "outcast" you may be you can still find a "family" a "home" where you can be welcomed and that together you are stronger than if you are alone
After the presentation we were invited to stay after the film for a Q&A session with two of the film's producers (one who was Mike Riddell the Directors husband and Scriptwriter for the movie), the director and Rawiri Paratene – who played the lead role of Arthur in the movie.
After which several of the New Zealanders in the audience gave a very welcomed impromptu sing-along / chants / dance session in tribute to the film and for what it stands for it was a good night
Taglines: Sometimes you have to let go and see where you end up
In a mad world, only the mad are sane
I would say that THE INSATIABLE MOON would not cater to all tastes and it would possibly help it you had an interest in New Zealand and the Maori culture but those who do see it may have their eyes opened to another way of thinking which can only be a good thing for all
THE INSATIABLE MOON is 100mins long, is possibly more suited to adults because of the subject matter and will be on general release from 7th October, 2010
THE INSATIABLE MOON took almost ten years in the making is set in New Zealand and tells the tale of a bunch of mentally impaired misfits that dwell in a boarding house within the local community of Ponsonby much like an "extended family of outcasts" much to the dismay of many of the residents.
There are activists within the community that would like to close the commune down, sell the property and move the residents away from their town.
The main-stay of the commune is the very down to earth "street-talking" Bob Davis (played admirably by Greg Johnson) – who likes to "tell it like it is" and against all trials and tribulations, it is his efforts that keep the "family" together.
There are a bunch of weird characters within the commune – the most notable being Arthur (play superbly by Maori actor Rawiri Paratene – who had a starring role in the Oscar nominated Whale Rider). Arthur truly believes that he is the second son of God and his charisma is such, that it tends to convince some of those he meets that there may be something in his claims.
A side story to the plot concerns the kind hearted Margaret (Sara Wiseman) who is having emotional issues in her marriage in her overwhelming desire to cope with getting pregnant in a loveless marriage, who falls for the "purity" of Arthur's crusade to save the boarding house from being taken over and she eventually falls for Arthur
There are some good comic moments and some very sad moments due to the subject matter but, putting these moments aside, this is at it's heart a story about community bonding and stresses that however "outcast" you may be you can still find a "family" a "home" where you can be welcomed and that together you are stronger than if you are alone
After the presentation we were invited to stay after the film for a Q&A session with two of the film's producers (one who was Mike Riddell the Directors husband and Scriptwriter for the movie), the director and Rawiri Paratene – who played the lead role of Arthur in the movie.
After which several of the New Zealanders in the audience gave a very welcomed impromptu sing-along / chants / dance session in tribute to the film and for what it stands for it was a good night
Taglines: Sometimes you have to let go and see where you end up
In a mad world, only the mad are sane
I would say that THE INSATIABLE MOON would not cater to all tastes and it would possibly help it you had an interest in New Zealand and the Maori culture but those who do see it may have their eyes opened to another way of thinking which can only be a good thing for all
THE INSATIABLE MOON is 100mins long, is possibly more suited to adults because of the subject matter and will be on general release from 7th October, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful movie. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think. I came away feeling like I had a better understanding of people after seeing it. Miracles really can happen if you give them a chance. It is a real credit to the New Zealand Movie industry. A truly memorable movie and one that I consider one of New Zealand's best yet. I don't watch many movies more than once, but this is one I would happily revisit. We were very fortunate to have present at our screening, the director and her husband. It was interesting to learn the story was written 13 years ago, and even back then the author envisaged it becoming a movie one day. A movie everyone should see!
Something completely different from New Zealand; a cross between "One Flea Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "Being There" although not as good as either of them but still watchable nonetheless.
Arthur(Rawiri Paratene) lives in a home for the mentally handicapped and he is convinced that he
is the second son of God. Those around him are not quite sure due to his uncanny intuitiveness. By the end of this imaginative film, the audience will also question the sanity of Arthur.
Rawiri Paratene gives a remarkable performance, one of my favorites this year along with Brendan
Gleeson in "The Guard" from Ireland.
The entire cast is very good and the story moves along, straddling the line between comedy and
drama. Writer Mark Riddell keeps us guessing to the end.
Arthur(Rawiri Paratene) lives in a home for the mentally handicapped and he is convinced that he
is the second son of God. Those around him are not quite sure due to his uncanny intuitiveness. By the end of this imaginative film, the audience will also question the sanity of Arthur.
Rawiri Paratene gives a remarkable performance, one of my favorites this year along with Brendan
Gleeson in "The Guard" from Ireland.
The entire cast is very good and the story moves along, straddling the line between comedy and
drama. Writer Mark Riddell keeps us guessing to the end.
Could Arthur (Rawiri Paratene) really have been the second son of God? Most people missed the first one – and they said he was mad, too. But Arthur knew how to find the magic in the world.
Against all odds, Rosemary and Mike Riddell have inspired a passionate cast and crew to bring us an emotional, challenging and thought- provoking tale of a slice of life at the unfamiliar margins of New Zealand society. Unfamiliar and yet we know these characters and this setting. We recognise the cafés and offices; we've met the real estate agent; we've stepped over the homeless guy in the doorway and heard the strange mutterings of the nutter down the street. This movie is grounded in familiar territory, but it asks many questions about the nature of the divine, the meaning of mental illness, and the power of community.
Paratene's is a stand out performance. He believes in himself, and we believe him too. While drawing deeply from the well of his Maori heritage, his is a universal character. Audiences everywhere will know him. Audiences everywhere will warm to this movie. Go see it.
Against all odds, Rosemary and Mike Riddell have inspired a passionate cast and crew to bring us an emotional, challenging and thought- provoking tale of a slice of life at the unfamiliar margins of New Zealand society. Unfamiliar and yet we know these characters and this setting. We recognise the cafés and offices; we've met the real estate agent; we've stepped over the homeless guy in the doorway and heard the strange mutterings of the nutter down the street. This movie is grounded in familiar territory, but it asks many questions about the nature of the divine, the meaning of mental illness, and the power of community.
Paratene's is a stand out performance. He believes in himself, and we believe him too. While drawing deeply from the well of his Maori heritage, his is a universal character. Audiences everywhere will know him. Audiences everywhere will warm to this movie. Go see it.
Did you know
- Crazy credits[prior to opening credits] Inspired by Arthur of Ponsoby.
- SoundtracksThe Sound
Written and performed by Luke Hurley
Details
Box office
- Budget
- NZ$980,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $143,475
- Runtime
- 1h 41m(101 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1 / (high definition)
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