The highly anticipated New Zealand feature Pike River will make its debut in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with a series of premieres and special screenings across the country ahead of its nationwide release on October 30. Based on the 2010 Pike River Mine tragedy that took the lives of 29 men underground, the film tells the untold story of Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse’sfight for justice and accountability alongside other Pike families.
The West Coast will host the first local audience, with the New Zealand red carpet premiere on Monday 13th October at Greymouth’s Regent Theatre, bringing the story home to the community most deeply connected to the events. A second invitation-only red carpet premiere will follow in Auckland on Tuesday 14th October at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.
To meet unprecedented public interest, Pike River will then screen in a series of one-off public preview events featuring post-screening Q&As with director Rob Sarkies, members of the cast, and special guests, Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse. These events will take place at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre on Wednesday 15th October, Christchurch at Isaac Theatre Royal on Thursday 16 October, and Wellington’s Embassy Theatre on Saturday 18 October, with tickets on-sale now.
The film marks the return home to New Zealand of three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures), working alongside BAFTA nominated NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Far North, Outrageous Fortune). The film also starsLucy Lawless (My Life is Murder, Xena) and Tim Gordon.
Directed by Rob Sarkies (Out of the Blue, Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story, Scarfies), Pike River is the powerful true story of Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm), who found a soulmate in each other in the fight for their men.
Director Rob Sarkies comments: “It’s an honour to bring the story home to the families and community who survived it. At the heart of the film are Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne, two Kiwi-as women whose unique bond demonstrates the power of friendship in the face of adversity. I can’t wait to share their extraordinary story with audiences across New Zealand.”
Pike River received its world premiere at the Sydney International Film Festival in June to standing ovations, with several Pike River families in attendance. A private screening for families in Greymouth has been organised with the Pike River Families groups prior to the public events.
Written by Fiona Samuel (Consent, Bliss, Piece of My Heart), Pike River was shot on location in Māwhera, Greymouth, Wellington and Auckland. The film 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 Capture Entertainment 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 Grant and Park Road Post Production.
Tickets for the special in-conversation screenings are on-sale now from here.
PIKE RIVER SPECIAL SCREENINGS DATES
Oct 15 – Auckland “In Conversation” event – ASB Waterfront Theatre
Oct 16 – Christchurch Premiere and “In Conversation” event – Isaac Theatre Royal
Oct 18 – Wellington Premiere and “In Conversation” event – Embassy Theatre