Loading Docs 2019 - Meet Munch Jr

Samoan-Kiwi Ali Cowley is an animator. He's also a father of four, and for his first documentary he focusses on his teenage son Nikau's desire to turn his drawings of character Munch Jnr into a three-dimensional puppet. Nikau has always loved drawing; his parents noticed his lack of emotional engagement early on and as a small child he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.  By giving voice to the puppet Munch Jnr, Nikau is able to express himself in ways he would ordinarily find difficult.

I used to have this kind of fear that he wouldn't have any friends...and I feel it's a bit selfish to have that because he's happy.

– Nikau's Mum Donna talks about her son

Key Cast & Crew

Tausani Ah Chong

Composer

Julia Parnell

Executive Producer

Faanati Mamea

Cinematographer

Sandra Kailahi

Producer

Juliette Veber

Producer

Ali Cowley

Writer, Director, Animator, Subject