3 Must-Stream Films from NZIFF 2020

It’s finally here! New Zealand International Film Festival is back in a big way – but unlike anything you’ve seen before. Experts at rolling with the punches in a year where everything has felt up in the air, our friends at the Film Festival have delivered a brand new concept for 2020.

Enter NZIFF’s At Home – Online programme. How lucky are we to be able to experience films from 41 countries without poking a toe out of our houses (or luxury QT suite)?

Whether your inner homebody is hunkering down for a movie marathon, or you’re planning to throw the screening soiree of the season in your living room, the epic line-up of 79 feature films and seven collections of shorts has something for everyone.

We had a yarn with the fabulous Pietra Brettkelly, award-winning documentary filmmaker and New Zealand Arts Laureate, about what films she can’t wait to stream at home. She’s excited about the films that challenge her and allow her to experience different corners of the world: “I want to dive into the corners. I want to be challenged.”

Here are her Top 3 must-sees:

• CORPUS CHRISTI: A wonderful film that was nominated for the Oscars this year, beautiful, compelling, all shot very controlled under one particular scene. It’s really good, this one.
• THE TRUTH: What’s a Film Festival without a Catherine Deneuve film? A mother / daughter relationship, with superbly subtle delivery by acclaimed director Kore-eda Hirokazu.
• YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY: This won best film at Venice Film Festival last yet. Set in Sudan, I think this one will really transport us.

How does Pietra recommend watching? Sprawled out on the carpet. “While I have furniture, I love to just lie on the carpet. So I will be lying on the carpet, television on with friends, whoever wants to join me.”

As long as her friends follow her picture house rules, that is. She lives by strict film etiquette. “They cannot discuss other stuff that isn’t in the film. We are in the world of film. Not our own real worlds. We’ve got this amazing experience here. So it has to be full involvement, all in, boots and all.”

Grab the popcorn and choc-tops, and get ready to dive in – all in – to NZIFF’s full schedule, available 24 July to 3 August.