Coming up this Saturday night (14th April, 8.30pm) on Rialto Channel is the New Zealand television premiere of the period action thriller Tracker, staring Ray Winstone and our very own Kiwi icon, Temuera Morrison. Directed by Ian Sharp, and based in the early 20th century the film captures the beauty of New Zealand as South African tracker Arjan van Diemen (Winstone) chases wanted Maori fugitive Kereama (Morrison) through the NZ wilderness. Needless to say, it was a physical shoot.
Along with appearances in The Green Lantern, and Spartacus, Tracker marks a busy new period in Morrison’s esteemed career. He’s currently shooting a new feature film called Mt Zion in South Auckland with Australian Idol winner Stan Walker.
Temuera kindly took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to have a chat.
Coming up this Saturday night (14th April, 8.30pm) on Rialto Channel is the New Zealand television premiere of the period action thriller Tracker, staring Ray Winstone and our very own Kiwi icon, Temuera Morrison. Directed by Ian Sharp, and based in the early 20th century, the film captures the beauty of New Zealand as South African tracker Arjan van Diemen (Winstone) chases wanted Maori fugitive Kereama (Morrison) through the NZ wilderness. Needless to say, it was a physical shoot.
Along with appearances in The Green Lantern, and Spartacus, Tracker marks a busy new period in Morrison’s esteemed career. He’s currently shooting a new feature film called Mt Zion in South Auckland with Australian Idol winner Stan Walker.
Temuera kindly took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to have a chat.
TRACKER Q&A - FRANCESCA RUDKIN and TEMUERA MORRISION
FR: Hi Temuera, and thanks for taking the time to chat to Rialto Channel, especially now you’ve started shooting a new feature film Mt Zion about a talented young musician’s dream for his band to win the auditionto be the support act for Bob Marley’s 1979 concert in Auckland. Can you tell us a little about your role in the film?
TM: I play Papa, Stan’s father – leader of a Potato picking Family – it’s a father/son thread through this – I love it.
FR: You’re working with Australian Idol winner and singing sensation Stan Walker - have you taught him a few tricks on the guitar yet?
TM: Stan’s got good ears, he can sing and he’s a good actor too. I am teaching him, he’s such a funny guy!
FR: In Tracker you play Kereama, a Maori seafarer on the run for a murder he didn’t commit. The role was written with you in mind, and it’s a great role. Did you relate to Kereama? Did the character come easily to you?
TM: No. The writer died before he was able to complete the script - fortunately, Brad Haami and Ngamaru Raerino came in to develop and bring my character together.
FR: The film is mostly about two characters, Kereama and the man tracking him Arjan van Diemen played by British actor Ray Winstone. The two of you work brilliantly on screen together - what was it like working with Ray?
TM: He’s a good guy – him and I clicked…we have both played those roles, we had a common background – he’s from the streets.
FR: New Zealand looks pretty good in the film too - did Ray appreciate the beautiful scenery?
TM: Yeah he appreciated the scenery but he didn’t like being out in the wilderness …. he’s a softie (Big Girls Blouse) he had to be taken back to Queenstown every night.
FR: It’s a physical role, and mostly shot on location - what was the biggest challenge while shooting Tracker?
TM: Running over the Southern Alps in barefeet and I’m still recovering. From the shock of that and the fight scenes, Ray kept hitting me for real!
FR: You must be really pleased with how things have been going over the last couple of years, what’s the key to staying a busy actor?
TM: Be versatile… Be seen …….. passion, desire….sometimes things just happen and turn up, be happy and have a good agent.
FR: And finally, what’s the most memorable film you’ve seen recently and why?
TM: Warriors – good – Nick Nolte performance brilliant, brilliant timing. I like Kung movies and Onj Bak.
FR: Thanks so much for your time Temuera - very much appreciated. We’re thrilled to be premiering Tracker on Rialto Channel and best of luck with Mt Zion!
Watch the trailer for TRACKER HERE.