Starlight Hotel

This Depression-era road movie tails teen runaway Kate (Greer Robson) as she tags along with World War I veteran Patrick (Aussie actor Peter Phelps) — also on the run after assaulting a repo man. The odd couple relationship grudgingly evolves as they narrowly escape the law, while crossing the southern badlands. Director Sam Pillsbury's film won wide praise; LA Times critic Kevin Thomas called it "pure enchantment". Robson's Listener award-winning turn followed her breakthrough role in Smash Palace. The film was nominated for another eight awards, including Best Film. 

Starlight Hotel is pure enchantment, a perfect blending of cast, setting and story that brings to mind the visual impact of Days of Heaven. It’s one of the finest New Zealand films to date... It is one of those pictures that sneaks up on you unannounced and steals your heart.

– Kevin Thomas in The Los Angeles Times, 13 August 1988

Key Cast & Crew

Sam Pillsbury

Director

Greer Robson-Kirk

As: Kate

Waka Attewell

Cinematographer

Finola Dwyer

Producer

Larry Parr

Producer

Grant Hindin Miller

Writer, Original Author