Latest news with #SonyaRockhouse
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
‘Pike River' trailer released, first screening in Sydney
Robyn Malcolm takes on the role of Sonya Rockhouse in the movie Pike River. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Greymouth is set to host the New Zealand premiere of the upcoming Pike River film this October, although it will screen first at the Sydney Film Festival next week. The trailer for the film was released yesterday, offering a glimpse into a retelling of the events leading up to the November 2010 explosion that killed 29 men underground at the Pike River coalmine, and the long battle the families of the miners have faced since. The New Zealand movie opens locally on October 30. New Zealand actresses Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures) and Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Far North, Outrageous Fortune) play Anna Osborne (Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Malcolm), who both lost their loved ones in the disaster and became leading voices in the long fight for truth and accountability. The film also features Lucy Lawless (Xena, My Life is Murder) as unionist Helen Kelly, and Tim Gordon (The Kick) as Pike families spokesman Bernie Monk. Pike River was partly shot on location in Greymouth in 2023, and some families were closely involved in the production. The film is supported by the Families Committee and Families Reference Group. Film-makers say they have chosen to premiere the movie in Greymouth to honour the community at the heart of the story, though it will have its world premiere in Sydney on June 7, as a "special presentation" at the 2000-seat State Theatre. Some Pike River families from New Zealand and Australia will be attending that screening, along with members of the cast and crew. Melanie Lynskey stars as Anna Osborne. Greymouth Mayor Tania Gibson watched the trailer yesterday morning. "It's going to be an emotional time — watching the trailer was hard in itself." The film would be good for the community to see, 15 years on. "I'm sure there will be some mixed emotions around." Director Rob Sarkies, originally from Dunedin, commented: "After working closely for more than five years with many of the Pike River families it's gratifying to be sharing the first glimpse of the film. I hope Pike River will give New Zealanders an insight into the determination of these families and an understanding of what they went through, and why. "Melanie and Robyn have done an extraordinary job capturing Anna and Sonya's inspiring friendship that transformed them into leaders for their community." — Greymouth Star
1News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Pike River film premieres trailer ahead of October release
New Zealand audiences will get their first glimpse of the Pike River film, with the official trailer released ahead of its arrival in theatres this October. The film follows the aftermath of the Pike River mine disaster that killed 29 men on November 19, 2010. It tells the true story of two women, Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who lost loved ones and became central voices in the families' fight for justice. The roles are portrayed by Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm respectively, two of the country's most respected actors. ADVERTISEMENT The film also features Lucy Lawless as union leader Helen Kelly, and Tim Gordon as the Pike River families' spokesperson Bernie Monk. Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm as Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse. (Source: Supplied) Director Rob Sarkies said it was "gratifying" to share the first glimpse of the film after five years of working closely with many of the Pike River families. "I hope Pike River will give New Zealanders an insight into the determination of these families and an understanding of what they went through, and why. "Melanie and Robyn have done an extraordinary job capturing Anna and Sonya's inspiring friendship that transformed them into leaders for their community." Filming took place primarily in Greymouth, with additional shoots in Wellington and Auckland. The film's world premiere will take place at the Sydney Film Festival on June 7 as a Special Presentation, followed by a New Zealand premiere in Greymouth on October 30. ADVERTISEMENT Some Pike River families from New Zealand and Australia will be in attendance along with members of the cast and crew.
NZ Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Pike River film starring Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm to premiere in Australia with families in attendance
Director Rob Sarkies confirmed Pike River families will be in attendance when Pike River premieres during the Sydney Film Festival's opening weekend, joining cast and crew to watch the film in Sydney's 2000-seat State Theatre. 'This is a huge honour that demonstrates the significance of the story in New Zealand and Australia,' Sarkies said. 'It feels particularly special that several Pike River families will be attending the Sydney premiere after years of working so closely with them to bring their story to the big screen.' Pike River depicts the true story of Anna Osborne (played by Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (played by Robyn Malcolm), and their fight for justice alongside other Pike families following one of the worst mining disasters in Aotearoa's history. Sonya Rockhouse, mother of Pike River victim Ben Rockhouse, said having a film made about this experience has, in some part, helped Pike River families heal. 'Anna and I have found it to be an incredibly humbling experience to be involved in the film with a crew of people who felt strongly about the injustices we suffered, and wanted to tell our story. We feel extremely honoured to be invited to attend the world premiere at the Sydney Film Festival.' Rockhouse and Osborne were made Members of the Order of New Zealand in 2022 for their health and safety campaigning. Production of the feature film, written by Fiona Samuel, began in Māwhera, Greymouth, in late 2023. Scenes were also filmed in Auckland and Wellington. According to IMDB, the feature has a run time of two hours and 18 minutes. The film was made in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Three, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant and Park Road Post Production.
