Experiencing Interruptions?

Sitting On The Fence

DCP Available

Is New Zealand complicit in a genocide? This inquiry into the inaction of the New Zealand government to what has happened in Gaza confronts uncomfortable truths.

"The opinion that art should have nothing to do with politics is itself a political attitude." George Orwell

* RECENT UPDATE: SOUND EDITED / COLOUR GRADED / CAPTIONS GRAPHICS / SRT FILE of ENGLISH SUBTITLES (for translation into local country languages).

Reviews :

“Sitting On The Fence” powerfully exposes the moral cost of neutrality, showing that choosing silence in the face of injustice is itself a position. It challenges viewers to reflect on whether staying ‘neutral’ truly means staying human. - Maher Nazzal, Co-Chair, PSNA (Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa)

Sitting on the Fence shows just how inadequate and morally cowardly the New Zealand government’s response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza has been. The country’s mainstream media have failed to hold the government to account by studiously avoiding interviewing experts on international law and genocide. Sitting on the Fence asks the important questions and has experts answer them.
An important documentary for anyone interested in what a principled response to genocide in the 21st century by a small country like Aotearoa (New Zealand) would look like. - Jeremy Rose - Journalist & member of Alternative Jewish Voices

“Powerful and brilliant! This needs to be aired across the country.” - Richard Jackson - Professor of Peace Studies, Otago University

“It will have historic significance” - Robert Patman - Professor of International Relations, Otago University

  • Daniel Cleary
    Director
    The Last Post
  • Daniel Cleary
    Writer
    The Last Post
  • Daniel Cleary
    Producer
    The Last Post
  • Prof Treasa Dunworth
    Interviewee talent
  • Dr Max Harris
    Interviewee talent
  • Dr Ruakere Hond
    Interviewee talent
  • Phil Goff
    Interviewee talent
  • Don Carson
    Interviewee talent
  • John Minto
    Interviewee talent
  • Marama Davidson
    Interviewee talent
  • Chloe Swarbrick
    Interviewee talent
  • Helen Clark
    Also appearing
  • Agnes Callamard
    Also appearing
  • Winston Peters
    Also appearing
  • Christopher Luxon
    Also appearing
  • Francesca Albanese
    Also appearing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 9 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 20, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    200,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Available
  • Prague Underground Film Festival
    Prague
    Czechia
    Winner - Best Documentary
  • Bangkok Movie Awards
    Bangkok
    Thailand
    Winner - Critics Award
  • Oslo Independent Film Festival
    Oslo
    Norway
    Award Winner
  • 2026 WSXA Barcelona International Film Festival
    Barcelona
    Spain
    Nominee
  • Doc Only
    Copenhagen
    Denmark
    Nominee
  • Dubai Independent Film Festival
    Dubai
    United Arab Emirates
    Semi-Finalist
  • Kyoto Independent Film Festival
    Kyoto
    Japan
    Semi-Finalist
  • New York Film & Female Actress Award
    New York
    United States
    Selected
  • Anatolia International Film Festival
    Anatolia
    Selected / Quater-Finalist
  • Southeast Asia International Film Festival
    Pattaya
    Thailand
    Selected
  • Nordic Palestinian Film Festival
    Stockholm
    Norway
    Selected
  • Tokyo Film & Screenplay Awards
    Tokyo
    Japan
    Selected
  • Dublin Movie Awards
    Dublin
    Ireland
    Semi Finalist
  • Edniburgh Film Awards
    Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    Semi-finalist
  • SCA Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    United States
    selected
Distribution Information
  • Cle'ireach Productions Ltd
    Distributor
    Country: New Zealand
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Daniel Cleary

Exec Producer / Director of documentary feature 'Sitting On The Fence' a story of the New Zealand government’s complicity of inaction to the Gaza genocide.

Exec Producer / Co Producer /Co Director of documentary feature The Last Post - the final days of Wellington's Evening Post newspaper. Sold out at the 2003 New Zealand International Film Festival and held at the NZ Film Archive as an historic piece of work.

With 25yrs experience as an Actor, Writer, Producer and Director in film and television in New Zealand and Australia.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-cleary-3199b332/

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This self funded, non profit, social impact documentary film, is about the New Zealand government's inaction over Gaza and it's failings to meet its obligations to the genocide convention. In a story driven by the voice of it's people vs those in power, it is unashamedly political, vital and urgent, in its critical challenge to a colonial settler block country, that supposedly lives up to its responsibilities as an international citizen by adhering to an international rules based order, whilst in practice doing anything but...

(E & O insured with Cinesure Global underwritten by Lloyds. The policy also covers exhibitors.)