KUSUDA: a short documentary

A cyclone threatens to destroy the harvest of Japanese winemaker Hiro Kusuda, forcing him to reflect on the fragility of life at his vineyard in Martinborough, New Zealand.

Kusuda is a three-minute documentary about Japanese winemaker, Hiro Kusuda, living in Martinborough, New Zealand.

Harvest is a high-stakes balancing act for any winemaker. Pick too soon and the grapes may not have reached optimum ripeness, pick too late and the grapes begin to rot.  Kusuda follows Hiro during a particularly challenging harvest, when a cyclone threatens the loss of his entire crop.

Knowing his grapes aren't ready for picking, Hiro can only hope his vines survive the stress and be ready to pick at a moment's notice. Hiro reflects on the uncontrollable forces of nature, his winemaking process, and the fragility of life itself.

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Kusuda has been partially funded by the Loading Docs initiative, with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air.  And thanks to the generous donations received through Boosted, we were able to cover the full costs of production. 


AMBER EASBY (CO-DIRECTOR, PRODUCER)

Amber is an independent producer and has produced a vast range of commercial and television projects as well as music videos for Lorde, The Naked and Famous and Flight of the Conchords. She has produced several short films, including 43,000 Feet, winner of Best Short at the 2011 Traverse City Festival and more recently, Baba, an animated documentary funded under last year's Loading Docs initiative.

HENRY OLIVER (CO-DIRECTOR,  PRODUCER)

Henry Oliver is a freelance writer and radio producer. He is a regular contributor to Metro magazine, North & South, HOME Magazine and Sunday.  He writes and produces radio documentaries on local and New Zealand music for Radio New Zealand's Music 101 programme. He also co-wrote the book Art of the Band T-Shirt with Amber Easby.