Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and other stories

Sam Hunt is New Zealand’s best known and most visible contemporary poet. In this feature-length documentary, Ginette McDonald calls him “the most impersonated man in New Zealand”. Director Tim Rose, who has known Hunt since he was a boy, decided too little was known about him beyond his flamboyant, public persona. So Rose spent four years making this documentary — mixing a wealth of archive material with interviews with Hunt, and those who know him best, and new footage of him reading his work and performing with David Kilgour.

I have known Sam Hunt since I was a young boy. He used to take me out fishing on the Pauatahanui inlet, and he is both a friend and confidante. Each time with Sam is special, commonly Sam the raconteur would recount a story and this would develop into a poem. I had a burning desire to be able to share this experience, to capture some of these moments on film for others to share.

– Director Tim Rose

Key Cast & Crew

Sam Hunt

Subject

Tim Rose

Camera, Producer, Director

David Kilgour

Composer

Morgan Samuel

Sound Editor, Sound Mix

Katie Hinsen

Editor

Douglas Frankl

Editor