MT ZION Storms Box Office on Opening Day

7 February 2013

MT ZION Storms Box Office on Opening Day

The new New Zealand movie, MT ZION, had a very strong opening yesterday, taking $200,707 at the box office, coming in at No 1 for the day.

MT ZION, released on Waitangi Day, coincidentally Bob Marley’s birthday, struck a chord yesterday, with many cinemas around the country sold out on advance bookings and having to turn people away.

Sony Pictures New Zealand General Manager Andrew Cornwell says, “This is a fantastic result. It’s almost double the opening day of the biggest hit NZ movie, Boy, and second only to Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business opening. Congratulations to the filmmakers on this early success.”

“I applaud the whole team behind Mt Zion,” says New Zealand Film Commission chief executive Graeme Mason. “From writer/director Tearapa Kahi, producer Quinton Hita and executive producer Christina Milligan to every member of the cast, crew, production, post-production and distribution team – this is a brilliant recognition of their talent and hard work.”

MT ZION is a family-oriented story in which Walker’s character Turei and his family are hard-working potato farm contractors in rural Pukekohe. A talented musician, Turei dreams of his band, Small Axe, being the support act for Bob Marley’s 1979 tour. But it’s a dream that challenges the traditions and values of his upbringing and will set him at odds with his family - particularly his father (Temuera Morrison), a true man of the land.

MT ZION is written and directed by Tearepa Kahi, who drew inspiration for the story from his own family background. The film features original music in a uniquely Māori take on Marley’s reggae. Walker’s recently released single ‘Take It Easy’ plays over the film’s end credits, and also features on the Mt Zion soundtrack album, released by Sony Music New Zealand.

Mt Zion is a Small Axe Films production in association with the NZ Film Commission, NZ On Air, Maori Television and Te Māngai Pāho. The film’s distributor is Sony Pictures.

Rating: PG – Coarse language
See trailer here: http://bit.ly/UQSp6Q
See “Take It Easy” video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEqq8bBP0I
Photos are available here: http://www.sonypicturespublicity.co.nz

ENDS

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