Russian Snark
Encyclopedia
Russian Snark is a 2010 New Zealand film directed and written by Stephen Sinclair
and produced by Liz DiFiore
.
The film features Stephen Papps
, Elena Stejko, Stephanie Tauevihi
and Te Waimarie Kessell. It is the story of Misha, a Russian filmmaker, and his struggles to make a movie in Godzone.
It is the directorial debut of well known New Zealand writer Stephen Sinclair
(co-author of Meet the Feebles
, Braindead, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the stage comedy Ladies Night
).
), a once celebrated filmmaker who has fallen on hard times, resolves to leave his homeland in search of a film-friendly country where he can pursue his career. With his wife Nadia Elena Stejko) in tow he sets sail from Russia in a tiny lifeboat, drifting cross the Pacific to finally arrive in New Zealand.
Before long Misha realises that New Zealand is no more receptive to his ideas and aesthetic than Russia. Yet he perseveres with his experimental film, ignoring his wife’s pleas to find work. Misha increasingly withdraws into himself, and his relationship with Nadia collapses.
Alone, his obsessions take hold and he steadily descends into madness. Only a chance encounter with a young Polynesian woman saves him from the ultimate act of self-destruction. His friendship with Roseanna (Stephanie Tauevihi
) inspires a re-awakening, as he begins to reconnect with the world around him.
June 4th, 2011 – Russian Snark screens at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival – Nuhaka Marae, Wairoa – Matariki/
June 16th, 2011 – Screenings begin nationwide for Russian Snark
June 16th, 2011 – Russian Snark opens in Auckland, New Zealand at the Rialto in Newmarket – Q & A with Steven Sinclair
June 18th, 2011 – Russian Snark Q & A at the Art House Cinema, New Plymouth with Stephen Sinclair
June 19th, 2011 – Russian Snark Q & A at the Paramount Cinema, Wellington with Stephen Sinclair.
nominated for Best Director, Stephen Papps
nominated for Best Actor, Elena Stejko nominated for Best Actress, Stephanie Tauevihi
nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Stephen Gallagher
and David Long nominated for Best Music, and Park Road Post
nominated for Best Visual Effects.
April 2011 – Russian Snark garners Best International Film Award at the Garden State Film Festival
December 2010 – Three nomination at the US based indie pictures Maverick Movie Awards – Best Actor – Stephen Papps – Best Supporting Actress – Elena Stejko (up against Joan Rivers) and Best Original Soundtrack – David Long and Stephen Gallagher!
October 2010 – Russian Snark is an Official Selection at the Mumbai Film Festival, and the Carmel Art and Film Festival in California
Effects.
Stephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair is a New Zealand film and television writer and emerging director.As a screenwriter, Sinclair has worked with director Peter Jackson on Meet the Feebles, Braindead and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has directed several short films, including Home Video and Ride, which...
and produced by Liz DiFiore
Liz DiFiore
Liz DiFiore is a New Zealand Film and Television producer, best known for her work on New Zealand drama productions, including features and short films...
.
The film features Stephen Papps
Stephen Papps
Stephen Papps is one of New Zealand's most prolific actors. He trained at the Academy Corporate Theatre Actors Workshop and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre, New Zealand.-Career:...
, Elena Stejko, Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi is a New Zealand songwriter, singer and actress, known for her work as the fictional character, Donna Heka, in the New Zealand television series Shortland Street. She also played a Real estate Agent in one episode of short-lived NZ program Rude Awakenings...
and Te Waimarie Kessell. It is the story of Misha, a Russian filmmaker, and his struggles to make a movie in Godzone.
It is the directorial debut of well known New Zealand writer Stephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair is a New Zealand film and television writer and emerging director.As a screenwriter, Sinclair has worked with director Peter Jackson on Meet the Feebles, Braindead and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has directed several short films, including Home Video and Ride, which...
(co-author of Meet the Feebles
Meet the Feebles
Meet the Feebles is a 1989 black comedy film directed by Peter Jackson. It features Jim Henson-esque puppets in a perverse comic satire. Like Henson's Muppets, the Feebles are animal-figured puppets assembled together as members of a theatre troupe...
, Braindead, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the stage comedy Ladies Night
Ladies Night (play)
Ladies' Night, a play by the New Zealand writers Stephen Sinclair and Anthony McCarten about a group of unemployed workers who develop a male strip show. It was first performed in December 1987 at Auckland's Mercury Theatre and has been described as the most commercially successful play in New...
).
Plot
Misha (Stephen PappsStephen Papps
Stephen Papps is one of New Zealand's most prolific actors. He trained at the Academy Corporate Theatre Actors Workshop and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre, New Zealand.-Career:...
), a once celebrated filmmaker who has fallen on hard times, resolves to leave his homeland in search of a film-friendly country where he can pursue his career. With his wife Nadia Elena Stejko) in tow he sets sail from Russia in a tiny lifeboat, drifting cross the Pacific to finally arrive in New Zealand.
Before long Misha realises that New Zealand is no more receptive to his ideas and aesthetic than Russia. Yet he perseveres with his experimental film, ignoring his wife’s pleas to find work. Misha increasingly withdraws into himself, and his relationship with Nadia collapses.
Alone, his obsessions take hold and he steadily descends into madness. Only a chance encounter with a young Polynesian woman saves him from the ultimate act of self-destruction. His friendship with Roseanna (Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi is a New Zealand songwriter, singer and actress, known for her work as the fictional character, Donna Heka, in the New Zealand television series Shortland Street. She also played a Real estate Agent in one episode of short-lived NZ program Rude Awakenings...
) inspires a re-awakening, as he begins to reconnect with the world around him.
Cast
The cast of Russian Snark includes many well known New Zealand actors including Te Waimarie Kessell, who has recently starred in the award winning Kaitangata Twitch.- Stephen PappsStephen PappsStephen Papps is one of New Zealand's most prolific actors. He trained at the Academy Corporate Theatre Actors Workshop and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre, New Zealand.-Career:...
as Misha: a Russian film auteur whose career has long since stalled. - Elena Stejko as Nadia: wife and muse of the tortured artist. Elena brings an authenticity to the role that is at times haunting and heart-warming.
- Stephanie TauevihiStephanie TauevihiStephanie Tauevihi is a New Zealand songwriter, singer and actress, known for her work as the fictional character, Donna Heka, in the New Zealand television series Shortland Street. She also played a Real estate Agent in one episode of short-lived NZ program Rude Awakenings...
as Roseanna: a young Polynesian woman who develops a friendship with Misha. - Rene NaufahuRene NaufahuRene Naufahu is a New Zealand-born actor, screen writer and director of Tongan and Samoan heritage. He is perhaps best known for being an original cast member of the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, playing paramedic Sam Aleni for the show's first four years...
as Vincent, a sleazy nightclub manager. - Peter Rowley as Neville, the foul tempered and philandering husband of Roseanna.
- Greg Johnson as a Chicken Farmer
- Te Waimarie Kessell asLani, the daughter of Roseanna.
- Ethan Tauevihi as Tama, the son of Roseanna.
Release
Russian Snark had its world premiere at the New Zealand International Film Festival on July 20th, 2010. It was also presented as a part of the Moscow International Film Market in June, 2010.June 4th, 2011 – Russian Snark screens at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival – Nuhaka Marae, Wairoa – Matariki/
June 16th, 2011 – Screenings begin nationwide for Russian Snark
June 16th, 2011 – Russian Snark opens in Auckland, New Zealand at the Rialto in Newmarket – Q & A with Steven Sinclair
June 18th, 2011 – Russian Snark Q & A at the Art House Cinema, New Plymouth with Stephen Sinclair
June 19th, 2011 – Russian Snark Q & A at the Paramount Cinema, Wellington with Stephen Sinclair.
Awards
Russian Snark has been nominated for 6 awards at The Qantas Film and Television Awards 2010. Stephen SinclairStephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair is a New Zealand film and television writer and emerging director.As a screenwriter, Sinclair has worked with director Peter Jackson on Meet the Feebles, Braindead and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has directed several short films, including Home Video and Ride, which...
nominated for Best Director, Stephen Papps
Stephen Papps
Stephen Papps is one of New Zealand's most prolific actors. He trained at the Academy Corporate Theatre Actors Workshop and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre, New Zealand.-Career:...
nominated for Best Actor, Elena Stejko nominated for Best Actress, Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi
Stephanie Tauevihi is a New Zealand songwriter, singer and actress, known for her work as the fictional character, Donna Heka, in the New Zealand television series Shortland Street. She also played a Real estate Agent in one episode of short-lived NZ program Rude Awakenings...
nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Stephen Gallagher
Stephen Gallagher
Stephen Gallagher is an English writer.He has written several novels and television scripts, including for the BBC television series Doctor Who — for which he wrote two serials, Warriors' Gate and Terminus — as well as for the series Rosemary & Thyme and Bugs, for two seasons of...
and David Long nominated for Best Music, and Park Road Post
Park Road Post
Park Road Post is a 10,200 m² motion picture post production facility, located in Miramar, New Zealand, a suburb of Wellington. Formerly the state-owned National Film Unit, the new facility was renamed Park Road Post upon completion in 2005...
nominated for Best Visual Effects.
April 2011 – Russian Snark garners Best International Film Award at the Garden State Film Festival
December 2010 – Three nomination at the US based indie pictures Maverick Movie Awards – Best Actor – Stephen Papps – Best Supporting Actress – Elena Stejko (up against Joan Rivers) and Best Original Soundtrack – David Long and Stephen Gallagher!
October 2010 – Russian Snark is an Official Selection at the Mumbai Film Festival, and the Carmel Art and Film Festival in California
Effects.