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The Great South

Two best friends must navigate the tough streets of South Auckland to buy a bottle of milk.

  • Taniora Heketanga Ormsby
    Director
  • Taniora Heketanga Ormsby
    Writer
  • Aimee De Saint Laurent
    Producer
  • Zharn Pokoati
    Key Cast
    "Gianni"
    My Shout
  • Tumamao George
    Key Cast
    "Sela"
    Mongrel
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Neo-Noir, Crime, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 9, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    1080p 25fps
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - South Seas Film School
Director Biography - Taniora Heketanga Ormsby

Taniora Ormsby, a graduate of South Seas Film School, is an accomplished writer/director renowned for his award-winning work. With a background in TV and film production, Taniora's fervent commitment lies in storytelling. His films, such as "Maharahara" and "My Shout," delve into significant themes like anxiety and depression, while others like "Mongrel" and "The Great South" portray grounded, relatable narratives.

Taniora's creative vision is enriched by his practical experiences gleaned from working on various professional productions. He has served as a 1st Assistant Director on projects like "Amalgamate" and "Taxi Man," bringing his organizational skills and industry knowledge to the fore. Additionally, his role as a Camera Assistant on productions like "Bouncers" and "When Bob Came" has honed his technical expertise, further enhancing his storytelling capabilities.

Driven by a desire to innovate and captivate audiences with fresh narratives, Taniora Ormsby stands as a dedicated and dynamic force in the world of filmmaking.

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Director Statement

I want The Great South to be the quintessential South Auckland Story. I want to tell a story that's all too common to those who are from around here, and show it to audiences all over. I wanted to tell the story about the people that I grew up around and try my best to show a more nuanced perspective that people may not be familiar with.

I wanted to challenge the perceptions people may have of South Auckland. Through the film I wanted to show that people are more than a tantalizing headline. My main hope for this film is to open people’s eyes to the hardships of others. I wanted to tell a story that the audiences would empathize with the main character so strongly that it would encourage them not to judge people so quickly, least not before knowing the full story.