Rob Sarkies: Three movies and two little boys
Rob Sarkies' first three movies have all begun in southern climes, then headed in unexpected directions. Scarfies celebrates Dunedin student life, before morphing into a twisted examination of morality under fire. Out of the Blue celebrates community and the ordinary person, while recreating the 1990 killings at Aramoana. New feature Two Little Boys is a black comedy featuring Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie and Australian comedian Hamish Blake. In this ScreenTalk interview, Sarkies talks about:
- How he enjoys making films which mix different flavours, genres and ideas
- How Two Little Boys mixes elements of comedy, relationship drama and shock horror
- How the film's lovable but heinous characters offer a chance to explore relationships - especially relationships in decay
- Signing up Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie
- Writing scripts with his multi-talented brother Duncan Sarkies
- Being aware of the stakes when he made his first feature Scarfies
- Using marketing to overcome the Kiwi cultural cringe
- Creating a perception that Out of the Blue was made with heart and artistry, so people could feel comfortable about being involved
NZ ON SCREEN 2013