Bellbird (2019 film)
Bellbird is a 2019 New Zealand drama comedy film written and directed by Hamish Bennett, and starring Marshall Napier, Rachel House and Annie Whittle. The film is a story about loss, love and hope in a small rural community where the people are the heroes. It focuses on a father who is a farmer and his adult son, and how they face the bereavement of a wife and a mother respectively. The film also explores men's mental health and importance of community in rural life. It is also a tribute to Bennett's childhood growing up in rural New Zealand. Bellbird is Bennett's feature debut.
| Bellbird | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Hamish Bennett |
| Screenplay by | Hamish Bennett |
| Produced by | Orlando Stewart, Catherine Fitzgerald |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Grant McKinnon |
| Edited by | Jason Pengelly |
| Music by | Karl Steven |
Production companies | Herringbone Productions, Stella Maria |
| Distributed by | Transmission Films |
Release date | 2019 |
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | NZ |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $421,494 |
On its release, the film received widespread critical acclaim in New Zealand, Australia and the US. It was also awarded several prizes at film festivals. It received the "Best Screenplay Award" at the International Film Festival & Awards Macao, and the "Jury Grand Prix" at the 2021 Antipodean Film Festival in Saint Tropez.