Film Raro Script Offers A Cameo Role To The Queen Of England

Press Release November 2012

Film Raro Script Offers A Cameo Role To The Queen Of England

Cook Islands social and economic development project Film Raro offers a cameo role to the Queen of England as it launches its second international film team and their royal short film script.

Written by Marcus Hamill and Joel Russell ‘Dog Save the Queen’ tells the tale of ‘The Million Dollar Corgi Quest’. A competition run by Buckingham Palace, in search of the direct descendent to the Queen's recently deceased corgi, who visited Cook Island shores, with her majesty, back in 1972 and got loose and busy with some of the local mutts.

The ‘Dog Save The Queen’ script and crew were chosen from hundreds of entries from around the globe. The Film Raro project expects to bring up to eight teams to the island paradise to work with locals. The aim is to pass on their filmmaking knowledge, create a new industry and build capacity to aid in the preservation of language, heritage and culture.

To add to this initiative the booming New Zealand film industry is looking to help develop the Cook Islands as a worthy tropical location for its industry needs.

Writer Director Marcus Hamill says friends of his had honeymooned in the Cook Islands and raved about its beauty and its people so it had been on his radar for a nice relaxing holiday. It had never occurred to him he’d be visiting the isle to work around the clock to produce a short film. Although he does say “I figure you’d be hard up finding a better place to recover from such a gruelling challenge than Rarotonga.”

“To me, Film Raro is a really inspired concept. It's an idea that's equally exciting and beneficial to all involved. As filmmakers, we get to tell a story we're passionate about, while at the same time working with and mentoring local talent and crew. I'd like to think that one day, some of those involved will be inspired to go on and tell their own stories through film.

The Film Raro concept works not only to put the Cook Islands on the map as a film friendly tropical destination, but also in terms of attracting the tourism dollar, by showcasing the unique and culturally rich Cook Island destination.” says Marcus.

‘Dog Save the Queen’ – was a good laugh for our script assessment team and reflected a great deal of research and effort made by the writers. As for the Queen making a cameo appearance from Buckingham palace, well we can only but ask. It is the year of her diamond jubilee and her family have recently been in the pacific, so if we get the chance well put it to them. In fact everyone’s invited to the Cook Islands Film Raro International Film Festival in May 2013.’ says Film Raro executive producer Stan Wolfgramm.

The inaugural Film Raro event is scheduled for May 2013.

Film Raro is still taking entries of all genres; doco, music vids etc at www.filmraro.com

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Notes:

• Film Raro website www.filmraro.com

• Drum Productions www.drumproductions.co.nz

• Inaugural Film Raro event scheduled for May 2013

Second team selected for Film Raro Paradise Film Challenge helmed by director/ writer Marcus Hamill with writer Joel Russell

ENDS

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