Specialty distributor Ariztical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to New Zealand-set wholesome gay love story ‘Mysterious Ways.’ Ariztical plans a multi-platform digital release in 2024.
Written and directed by New Zealand’s Paul Oremland, the film follows a media storm that threatens the marriage between a Vicar, portrayed by Richard Short (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and his Samoan boyfriend, portrayed by Nick Afoa (“The Lion King”), after they announce their intentions to have a traditional wedding in the church.
The film also marks one of the first on-screen representations of what is known in the Samoan community as a fa’afafine. The character Billy is played by relative newcomer Joe Malu Folau. An integral part of Samoan culture, fa’afafine are assigned male identity at birth, but explicitly embody both masculine and feminine gender traits in a way unique to Polynesia.
The film was produced in New Zealand by...
Written and directed by New Zealand’s Paul Oremland, the film follows a media storm that threatens the marriage between a Vicar, portrayed by Richard Short (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and his Samoan boyfriend, portrayed by Nick Afoa (“The Lion King”), after they announce their intentions to have a traditional wedding in the church.
The film also marks one of the first on-screen representations of what is known in the Samoan community as a fa’afafine. The character Billy is played by relative newcomer Joe Malu Folau. An integral part of Samoan culture, fa’afafine are assigned male identity at birth, but explicitly embody both masculine and feminine gender traits in a way unique to Polynesia.
The film was produced in New Zealand by...
- 11/15/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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