Taika Waititi’s “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is coming back to New Zealand cinemas.
The film will be shown in 4K in cinemas across Aotearoa over Easter to mark the 10th anniversary of its original release, starting with a nationwide celebration on Tuesday, March 31.
A decade on from its 2016 release, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” remains New Zealand’s highest grossing local film at the box office and holds a special place in the country’s cultural identity.
“Ten years?! Absolutely not. That’s fake news. I refuse to believe time works like that because it would mean I’m older, and frankly I’ve decided that’s not my brand,” says director Taika Waititi. “In my mind, Julian is still ten years old, I’m still wearing the same trackpants, and we’ve only just finished arguing about snacks in the bush. But honestly, seeing ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ come back is pretty special — it was this weird little Kiwi story about finding your place and your people, and somehow the world adopted it like a stray dog. If anything, the re-release just proves that good stories don’t age… which is great, because clearly neither do I.”
“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” featured some of the country’s most beloved actors such as Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rachel House and Rhys Darby.
Dennison, who rose to fame as the iconic Ricky Baker, shares: “Woah – 10 years. 10 years of the skuxxiest people, 10 years of the nummiest treats and 10 years of running around the bush. Thank you guys for loving it as much as we do. Make sure you go and see it this Easter, and make sure you go and live that skux life because remember, we didn’t choose the skux life, the skux life chose us.”
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“That rarity from Aotearoa – a comedy. It seems impossible that it was 10 years ago now. But I really look forward to seeing it on the big screen again,” adds acting legend Sam Neill who played gruff Uncle Hec. “It is the kind of film that really is much more fun with an audience.I loved my fellow cast , loved my genius director Taika Waititi, loved the whole experience. Save me a seat, wherever you are!”
Tickets to screenings on March 31 can be purchased here.
The anniversary is also being marked with a range of commemorative collaborations.
NZ Post has released a series of stamps featuring images photographed by Kane Skennar for the film. These are available for purchase here.
Impressed Recordings is releasing the official soundtrack on vinyl for the first time. Composed by Moniker, the Wellington trio of Luke Buda, Samuel Flynn Scott and Conrad Wedde, the score will be available in two editions, including a strictly limited Skux Edition of 300 heavyweight clear vinyl copies featuring a silver fern within the pressing. The Skux Edition is personally signed by Taika Waititi on a red, individually-numbered Swanndri print obi strip.
The vinyl is available for pre-sales now and will be available at the end of April via the Impressed Recordings website, with a small allocation to selected record stores worldwide.
Garage Project is also brewing a limited edition Majestical Lager especially to celebrate the anniversary. The beer will be released alongside the re-released film, and will be available at cinemas and retailers across the country as well as from Garage Project venues, including its online store.
Square Eyes Screen Foundation, champions of cross-generational cinema, meanwhile, is partnering with the New Zealand Film Commission to ensure a new generation of young New Zealanders can collectively watch “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” on the big screen. Find out more here.