From Oscar Steps To Pocket Screen: NZ IPhone Film Exposes Hollywood’s Decay

When Māori-Pacific filmmaker Aroha Awarau sat on the steps of Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre - the home of the Oscars - he didn’t plan to make a film. But within less than two hours, armed only with his iPhone, he captured a snapshot of Hollywood’s decline.

The result is Faded, a two-minute documentary shot, edited, and produced entirely on his phone, now set to premiere at Australia’s Worldwide Smartphone Film Festival this week.

Faded is a raw portrayal of Hollywood, exposing the stark contrast between fame and fortune and urban decay and homelessness. Each stage of production was created on Awarau’s iPhone - from filming, soundtrack, editing, and poster design. The film is both a piece of social commentary and an example of how immediate filmmaking can be.

“Faded proves how much the landscape of filmmaking has changed. Sometimes all you need is a story, a phone, and a place to sit - even if it’s on the same steps where they hand out Oscars,” he says.

The idea came spontaneously while Awarau was in Los Angeles in May for the international premiere of Puti, his short film directorial debut, at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. During his Hollywood visit - funded by the NZ Film Commission and his supporters - Awarau was struck by the stark contrast between the red carpet glamour and the surrounding poverty. Compelled by what he witnessed, he began capturing the scenes that would later become Faded.

While Faded marks a creative and technical departure, it’s just one part of a whirlwind year for Awarau. In the past eight months, he has written and directed four distinct short films - each of which has screened internationally.

Puti, which explores the resilience of Māori youth, is currently screening at Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival, where it’s a finalist for Best New Zealand Short Film. It received funding from Ngā Aho Whakaari. His romantic comedy Cherries, written by Awarau and directed by Jaime Poipoi, screened at the imagineNATIVE Film Festival in Toronto, while Maisuka, a documentary on the impact of type 2 diabetes among Pacific youth, was selected for FIFO in Tahiti - one of the Pacific’s most respected film events.

“Getting short films made in Aotearoa and accepted into international festivals is never easy. There’s limited funding and a constant hustle just to bring these stories to life,” he says.

“But looking back, seeing all four of my films screen overseas is a testament to the incredible support I’ve received from those who believe in my passion for storytelling.”

Though he won’t be in Wellington this week for the NZIFF awards ceremony, Awarau has a good reason - he’s been selected for a prestigious Director’s Lab jointly supported by the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme nurtures emerging filmmakers as they develop their first feature-length films.

Awarau is currently working on two projects: Hidden, a gritty thriller that tackles human trafficking in Auckland, and Redemption League, a powerful drama about the healing role of rugby league within the prison system.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support that’s helping me take the next steps in my filmmaking journey.”

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