A first look image has today been released for Pike River: a major dramatic NZ feature film based on the Pike River Mine tragedy that took the lives of 29 men underground. In cinemas nationwide later this year, the film marks the return home to New Zealand of three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey (Yellow Jackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures), working alongside acclaimed NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Far North, Outrageous Fortune).

Lynskey plays Anna Osborne, with Malcom playing Sonya Rockhouse, two women who lost men in the mine and have become prominent in the families’ fight for justice and accountability. Also featured are Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder, Xena: Warrior Princess) playing unionist Helen Kelly and Tim Gordon (The Kick) as Pike Family Committee spokesperson Bernie Monk.

The film features a large cast of over 40 New Zealand actors depicting miners, Pike families and the wider West Coast community, as well as those the families engaged with in their ongoing fight for justice. Pike families have actively assisted the production and some feature as extras in the film.

Directed by award-winning NZ Director Rob Sarkies (Out of the Blue, Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story, Scarfies), and written by Fiona Samuel (Consent, Bliss, Piece of My Heart), the film captures the profound impact on the community of one of the worst mining disasters in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history.

Director Rob Sarkies commented: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have actors of Melanie and Robyn’s calibre in the film. Their outstanding performances will remind audiences everywhere of the human cost of these kind of events, as well as the importance of fighting for what you believe is right. Our entire cast and crew were inspired by the courage of the Pike River families and have worked so hard to do their story justice.”

Shot on location in Māwhera, Greymouth, Te Whangaui A Tara Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Pike River is produced by Vicky Pope (Savage, Went Up The Hill, Gardening with Soul) and Timothy White (Muru, Out of the Blue The Dark Horse) with Executive Producers Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm, Paul Wiegard, Paul Gough, James Dean, Jennifer Sutton, Doug Gold, William Watson and Rob Sarkies. Madman will distribute theatrically in New Zealand and Australia, with Signature Entertainment UK handling international sales. The film has been made in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Three, the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, Park Road Post Production and Fulcrum Media Finance.