This one took a little longer to get across the line than expected but as they say - good things take time. Especially a morally complex and psychologically disturbing survival tale like WHEN DARKNESS LOVE US. *Film just wrapped*
Everyone associated (esp our killer cast @emilia_clarke , @marlonwilliamssings , @then0t0ri0usvip , @nataschamcelhone ) went all in on this super ambitious swing from my talented mate @mister_ashcroft (on a tear for the ages) and a superb script by him alongside kiwi scribes @hayleysproull and @_elikent_ . Kudos to all star local crew assembled and led by uber lead producer @desrayeveryday doing the hard mahi and 💯 committing to the project - come hell or high water. FYI Desray is a national treasure and this project would not have happened without her from the start. Thanks to team @nzfilm for stepping up to support a project that you could say is not your typical NZ production ha! Without @umbrellaentertainment backing us early it would have been even harder. And of course to @bleeckerstfilms for joining and financially backing us on what is going to be a hellishly good journey and . And want to give some love to my old mate hero - @cobblehillis - who first got this project in front of Kent and Miranda at Bleecker for me. And to @ogiony at @creativeartistsagency for being there at the beginning and is always up for anything I throw at him. And for my legal ride or die @t_is_4_tim on everything I’m involved with. Enormous appreciation to Sharon & team at @hinterlandcreativeltd who know the dark arts of global banking better than anyone. So many others have helped but without original author @eliz.engstrom who wrote the 80s novella WHEN DARKNESS LOVE US - we’d all be twiddling our thumbs. Love to ya Liz.
And finally to those who support everyone who works in film - the silent patient superstars behind us who put up with all our shenanigans like my @rebeccatimpson 😘
🌄✨ The Mountain is heading stateside with @hoperunshigh in 2026!
Our film will soon travel across the U.S., carrying stories, language, and the spirit of Aotearoa to new audiences.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has supported this kaupapa.
Parliament got some razzle dazzle tonight at the screening of the new Toitū Visual Sovereignty movie!
Director @chelseawinstanley and Producer @desrayeveryday inspired us to move with integrity as they talked about making their film which follows @nigelborell on his quest to curate the largest Māori exhibition ever with over 300 works and 100 Māori artists at the Auckland Art Gallery. Nigel he taonga tuku iho koe ☀️
It’s a story of celebration and struggle as we watch Nigel navigate the constraints between institutional authority and Māori self-determination.
Artists touch the hearts and minds of the people and spark conversation that helps shape the world we live in 🤍🖤♥️. Māori art informs us of where we have come from so we know where we are going. The future is bright.
Spot Teanau’s cameo 🎥
TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty - the much anticipated feature documentary from @chelseawinstanley , celebrating our incredible contemporary Māori artists. Check out www.toitufilm.nz to support this indie release and find out where to see it in select cinemas from 13 Nov. A huge mihi to everyone who has been a part of this film's journey, particularly @nigelborell and to all the indie cinemas and galleries around the motu supporting it's release
Just wrapped an incredibly special shoot (more on that soon) and in the blink of an eye and just in time, re-tuning my focus and heart to the sharing tonight of a very special project - one that celebrates our contemporary Māori artists through the lens of Māori art curator @nigelborell . It’s the culmination of 5 years of dedication, belief and aroha from filmmaker @chelseawinstanley and a full circle moment for me as it marks a 20 year creative partnership and friendship that has filled my cup in ways that I could never do justice to by attempting to put into words. Chels, I could not be more proud of and grateful to you for the koha of this work, always championing indigenous voices, including my own, and your homie-tanga. Whānau, check it out at @nziff@toituvisualsovereignty
Kia ora koutou! Almost SOLD OUT for the premiere of the documentary TOITŪ visual sovereignty August 6th. Only a couple of tickets left. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. Link for tickets to premiere and other venues in my bio. Love from us @desrayeveryday & Chelsea ❤️
Hailed as an unprecedented insight into the curating of a large exhibition project, behind the scenes where you see what was involved in bringing Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art to fruition in 2020. Directed by Chelsea Winstanley it is more than just a doco about me and the exhibition as it reveals the struggle for Māori artistic sovereignty within the structures of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural institutions. It will premiere in the NZIFF Weds 6th Aug, 6pm Skycity Theatre and then throughout NZIFF across the country.
Artists that were in Toi Tū Toi Ora you should have received your comp info email, if not dm me here and I’ll connect you up. Everyone else you’ll need to purchase you a ticket, included a link in my bio. I know Chelsea has done an amazing job here and we can’t wait to share it with you all. Come celebrate with us!
Māori win, all day, everyday 😘
Director: Chelsea Winstanley
Producers: Desray Armstrong, Chelsea Winstanley
Cinematography: Mike Jonathan, Darryl Ward
Editors:Huhana Ruri-Panapa, Cushla Dillon, Brendon Chan
Music: Maree Sheehan
With: Nigel Borell, and featured Māori artists:, Shane Cotton, Emily Karaka, Brett Graham, Taika Waititi, Charlotte Graham, Reuben Paterson, Shona Rapira-Davies, Elizabeth Ellis, Mere Lodge, Ani Iti, Maureen Lander, Mataaho Collective – Sarah Hudson, Terri Te Tau, Erena Baker & Bridget Reweti
