DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
World of Taika Forum
HTML https://worldoftaika.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Other Taika Producer Credits
*****************************************************
#Post#: 170--------------------------------------------------
The Breaker Upperers (2018)
By: Sylwia Date: January 31, 2018, 4:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://www.breakmeup.co.nz/
HTML https://www.facebook.com/breakerupperers/
Written, directed and starring Jackie van Beek and Madeleine
Sami
Taika Waititi is one of the executive producers
[img width=500]
HTML https://i.imgur.com/Kv5T2UH.jpg[/img]
HTML https://www.pikifilms.com/updates/2017/4/1/the-breaker-upperers-starts-production
[quote]The Breaker Upperers starts production
April 02, 2017
THE BREAKER UPPERERS is written and will be directed by van Beek
and Sami who will also play the lead roles of Jen and Mel, a
pair of cynical misfits who earn a living by breaking up unhappy
couples for cash. Australian comedian Celia Pacquola joins the
cast along with Kiwi favourites including Rima Te Wiata, Cohen
Holloway and Nic Sampson. This feature also marks the return to
the big screen of actor James Rolleston who joins the cast
playing a young man desperately in need of THE BREAKER UPPERERS
services to break up with his overbearing girlfriend Sepa
(played by newcomer Ana Scotney).
Sami and van Beek are looking forward to shooting the feature
which at its core tells the story of two woman working out
life’s many twists and turns and choosing their own path rather
than one prescribed to them.
“When Jackie came to me with this premise I loved it,” says
Sami. “After years of workshops, raising kids (Jackie not me),
maintaining long distance relationships (me not Jackie) and
hours of writing in cafes all over Auckland it's exciting to
have the opportunity to bring this story to life with the help
of our talented cast and crew.”
“After being friends for so long, Madeleine and I thought it
might be time to convince the world to let us co-write,
co-direct and co-star in our own movie. And now we have an
amazing team of people supporting us to do just that!” adds van
Beek. “Most of our key cast and crew are women which feels
exciting. And many of our heads of department are job sharing in
order to fulfill their filmmaking ambitions whilst also raising
families. If this film helps to establish this model as a
popular way of working I'll be extremely happy.”
THE BREAKER UPPERERS will be produced by Carthew Neal (Hunt for
the Wilderpeople, Tickled), Ainsley Gardner (Boy, Eagle v Shark)
and Georgina Conder (Freed in Deed, Consent) under the Piki and
Miss Conception Films banner. Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do In
The Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) is acting as executive
producer.
“I’m so happy that our second Piki film is going into
production,” says Waititi. “Madeleine and Jackie are two of the
smartest and funniest people I know and I can’t wait to see what
they do with this hilarious script. Women are hugely under
represented in the film industry so I’m very proud that two of
our best comedians, who just happen to be women, are getting to
make their movie. I’m also particularly over the moon that we
get to see James Rolleston in front of the camera again.”
THE BREAKER UPPERERS will be made with investment by The New
Zealand Film Commission, Wallace Productions and Department of
Post. The film will be distributed in New Zealand by Madman
Entertainment and Piki and in Australia by Madman Entertainment
in 2018.[/quote]
HTML https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/91053557/madeleine-samis-new-film-envisions-a-world-where-we-pay-others-to-end-our-own-relationships
[quote]Madeleine Sami's new film envisions a world where we pay
others to end our own relationships
GLENN MCCONNELL
April 2 201
Breaking up with someone can be hard, so why not get someone
else to do it for you?
That simplistic thought got two comedians thinking. It has now
become almost the only thing they think about. Actress Jackie
van Beek spent so many years musing over the idea that she and
her friend Madeleine Sami decided to conceptualise the scheme in
film.
Filming for The Breaker-Upperers​ starts on Sunday in
Auckland. The pair has been given five weeks to film it all, and
plan to release it in April next year.
And they literally had to film it all. The duo cast themselves
as lead actors, co-writers and co-directors.
Van Beek came up with the original idea over drinks with friends
about five years ago during a conversation about about
relationships, and how they end.
"When people know they're in the wrong relationship and they
know they need to break up with that person, there's a lot of
dread and a lot of fear," she said.
The general consensus was it's just too hard to end
relationships – why can't you pay someone to do it for you?
"I thought 'wouldn't it be funny if we had a film with two
females doing something quite morally ambiguous?' So what if
they were getting paid to break up couples, if that was their
job and how they made a living," Van Beek said.
She approached Sami to work on the project two years ago. Van
Beek was busy at the time as well.
She released her first feature film in February. The drama,
Inland Rd, followed a 17-year-old girl's journey to find her
estranged father in the South Island. As soon as that premiered
in Berlin, Van Beek was back to Auckland to start her second
feature.
Sami​ said the "random idea" was irresistible.
Asked if she thought it would be unethical to break other
couples up, Sami said their characters performed a valuable
public service.
"It's quite a cynical job that they do. But they like to think
they do it for the benefit of humankind, to make things a little
better."
The film will also star James Rolleston as a 17-year-old
requiring the services of The Breaker-Upperers. Taika Waititi
was involved as executive producer and all round "wise man" for
the film.
When it reaches cinemas next year, Sami said audiences should
expect laughs but also a thought provoking watch.
"We don't want to be causing too many existential crises," Sami
joked. But she added, some viewers may wish this fantasy
business was a reality.
"It might make some think, 'actually I am really unhappy with my
relationship and I need to end it and get out of it and be
happier'."
More far-reaching though, was the film's focus on women and life
choices.
"Women are hugely under represented in the film industry so I'm
very proud that two of our best comedians, who just happen to be
women, are getting to make their movie," Waititi said.
Van Beek hoped that the film would alleviate guilt for women who
had swayed off traditional life paths.
She played Jen in the film, a 40-year-old single who specialises
in being single. The character's from a traditional family, who
aren't thrilled with her choices, Van Beek said.
"She is resisting getting married, having children – she is 40
years old – as a person I think that's absolutely fair enough."
While the film was targeted at all audiences, Van Beek said her
aim was to reach women who could relate to her and Sami's
characters.
The film wouldn't have any quick fix answers for breaking up or
dealing with hard relationships – but hopefully it would remove
some guilt from those tricky situations, she said.
- Sunday Star Times [/quote]
#Post#: 171--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Breaker Upperers (2018)
By: Sylwia Date: January 31, 2018, 5:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The movie is one of...
HTML https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/100098604/twelve-kiwishot-and-set-movies-to-see-in-2018
[quote]Twelve Kiwi-shot and set movies to see in 2018
JAMES CROOT
December 31 2017
The Breaker Upperers (May 3)
A highly-anticipated teaming-up of two of New Zealand finest
female comedians.
Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek wrote, directed and star
together in this tale about two cynical women who set up an
agency aimed at breaking couples up as a way of avoiding moving
on in their own lives.[/quote]
HTML https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/101068877/the-breaker-upperers-madeleine-sami-jackie-van-beeks-movie-set-for-sxsw-debut
[quote]The Breaker Upperers: Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek's
movie gets SXSW debut
February 1 2018
Kiwi comedy combining the talents of Madeleine Sami and Jackie
van Beek will debut at one of America's most-popular "edgy"
film festivals next month.
Written, directed and starring the dynamic duo, The Breaker
Upperers will have its world premiere at Austin, Texas' South by
South West Festival, which runs from March 9 to 18. It has been
named as one of 17 movies in the Narrative Spotlight section.
Made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission, Wallace
Productions and Department of Post, Upperers is the story of Jen
and Mel, a pair of cynical misfits who earn a living by breaking
up unhappy couples for cash.
However, when one develops a conscience, their friendship
threatens to unravel.
Also starring Rima Te Wiata, James Rolleston, Cohen Holloway and
Nic Sampson, its executive producers include Taika Waititi.
A delighted van Beek said she was excited to be premiering their
comedy at SXSW amongst a great line-up of other films.
"I'm an avid lover of country music, so premiering in Austin,
Texas is a double whammy for me."
[...]
South by Southwest has proved to be a popular place for New
Zealand films to premiere.
In 2017, documentary Kim DotCom: Caught in the Web made its bow
in Texas, while Black Sheep, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt For
the Wilderpeople and Free In Deed all screened there in previous
years.
The Breaker Upperers is scheduled to debut in Kiwi cinemas on
May 3.
- Stuff [/quote]
HTML https://i.imgur.com/PIbiO3e.jpg
*****************************************************