KAI

THE FILM

Kai, a spirited 12 year old boy from rural Kaikoura who has grown up spearfishing and horse riding, has taken on the role of caregiver for his father and younger brother, since his mother's untimely death. While Kai feels a duty to care for his family, he yearns for what he sees as a more conventional childhood and also wishes for greater power over his own life. After a heated confrontation with his father, Kai runs away into the night and embarks on a journey that alters the course of his life.

WHY MAKE THIS FILM?

Because a film set in Kaikoura that truely honours the region's most unique features - will be a film unlike anything to come before it!

This film will also gift a chance to dozens of Kaikoura locals and people from the greater Marlborough and Canterbury region to come together and build Kaikoura's first scripted short film.

Kaikoura has inspired this project and I have written the story according to the local people that I have connected with since I have lived here. In Kaikoura, we are so fortunate to have so many gems right at our doorstep, such as our marine life of whales, dolphins, fur seals and the breathtaking underwater terrains of endless caves and bullwhip kelp forests. Further Inland we have green rolling hills as far as the eye can see, where farmers graze their deer, cows and sheep - and all of this is encompassed by the Inland and Seaward Kaikoura's - our mountain ranges that bathe in our towns dazzling light.

Imagine all of that in a film! This is what we want to happen.

TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Boosted is an all-or-nothing platform, meaning that if we don’t reach our target … we won’t receive a cent and your money will be refunded to you. 

Each person to donate will get a very special mention in the film's credits as the people who helped to make this film possible. This can include business names and logos. You can also donate anonymously if preferred.

While we understand that these are hard times - if you are not able to donate, sharing our project on social media so it can be seen by as many people as possible would also be a huge help to us.

WHERE WILL YOUR DONATIONS GO?

Your generous donations will go towards:

• Remuneration for the film crew, actors and extra's for their hard mahi.
• Cost of the film gear hire and art department props.
• Catering for the team over the 3 day shoot.
• Boosted 10% fee 

If you're a New Zealand donor, you're able to take 33% off of your donation! Boosted is run by The Arts Foundation - A Nz Non-profit who assists artists in developing and funding their projects. All Nz donors can claim 1/3 of Their donation back on taxes in the 2024/2025 tax year.

Writer & Director: My name is Brooke Unger and I am a filmmaker. I have helped to create films from 6 different countries around the world and I love to be right where the action is. This opportunity to be able to make a film in Kaikoura, where I surf, hike and dive regularly - would really be a dream. I am also incredibly excited to be the underwater cinematographer for our films underwater scenes.

This short film will be my debut scripted film as Writer & Director.

OUR LEAD - 'KAI': Our main character Kai is played by Ezekiel Chann who at just 12 years old, is already a masterful waterman. Kai and his father dive right over the road from their home in Kaikoura, gathering paua, Crayfish and spearfishing butterfish. He also rides Clydesdale horses - bareback!

The Cast: 

• Ezekiel Chann
• Mos'e Chann
• Tiger-lily Chann
• Tilda Nee
• David Nee
• Kosal Chann
• Russel Burnett

The Team

• Writer / Director: Brooke Unger
• Executive Producer: Brett Mills
• Producer: Brooke Unger
• Co-producer: Stephanie Escalante 
• Assistant Producer: Amy Mckinnon
• Director Of Photography: Daniel Wye
• 1st AC: Raj Patel
• Key Grip: Peata Panoho
• Chief Lighting Technician: Stu Mccormick
• Health & Safety: Hamish Ormond
• Performance Coach: Donya Nee
• Prop Master: Done and Dusted, Cust
• Horse Master: Jenny Wards
• Sound Mixer: Joseph Veale
• Boom Operator: Filip Alobaid
• Underwater Cinematographer: Brooke Unger
• Safety Diver & UW Location Scout: Hamish Ormond
• Photography: Miyu Iwata, Elle Cayford, Michaela Vanickova
• Set Runner: Rodulfo Gomez Pastra
• Editor & Colourist: Richard Lord
• Music Composer: Marc Vincent Parkinson
• Fire Safety: Kaikoura Volunteer Fire Brigade 
• Hair Make-up & Wardrobe: Jolene Parker
• Catering: Flo & Co Kaikoura
• Catering #2: Angus Ormond
• Accomodation: The Fairways Kaikoura, Deka & Wayne Aitken

OUR GEAR:

KAI will be filmed on world-class camera system - The Arri Alexa Mini, paired with superb vintage glass - The Zeiss Superspeed Lens family, rehoused in a state-of-the-art robust and lightweight rehousing by Gecko Cam.