The Hill

Eddie (Stacey Tukariri) is a 10-year-old skater who, like many a suburban dreamer, has his sights set on riding the steepest slope in town (the Bullock Track in a pre-gentrified Grey Lynn). Although his father isn't happy about it, Eddie's hero is his teen neighbour Duane: wheelchair bound after wiping out on ‘the hill’. Directed by Tainui Stephens — his first dramatic short — and written by Brett Ihaka, the young Māori odd couple story screened at the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. Future Mt Zion director Tearepa Kahi plays Duane, and the score is by hip hop legend DLT.

The Hill is a modern hip hop fable of life and death written by Brett Ihaka. It is an urban Māori story, and most of the production team, cast and crew were Māori.

– From The Hill press kit

Key Cast & Crew

Brett Ihaka

Writer

Tearepa Kahi

As: Duane Heremia

Tainui Stephens

Director

John A Givins

Producer

Bryson Campbell

As: Jimmy

Thomas Kiwi

As: Ra, Stunt Coordinator