Award winning film at Regent theatre
Who Director, Vanessa Wells
What Mighty Indeed, documentary film
Where The Regent Theatre, Te Awamutu
When 11am, Sunday November 8
Why Misty Flicks Film Festival
Misty Flicks is the home for independent filmmakers, audiences, and bold storytelling. Based in the Waikato, it is growing a connected film community through an annual festival.
Mighty Indeed is a highlight this year, a film directed by Vanessa Wells, a multi award winning New Zealand film maker, based in Christchurch.
The film won best NZ film and best NZ director at the Doc Edge Film Festival, making it eligible for the 2026 Academy Awards.
Wells was present at the Regent screening for a Q&A session; last Sunday.
Filming had taken place in the Antarctic with temperatures ranging from –10°C to -15°C but sometimes reaching -40°C.
Wells had heard Hercules flying over her home in Memorial Drive, near Christchurch airport, from the age of 3 and felt, “a deep connection to the Antarctic.”
Sitting in the dark the audience waited with anticipation as the plush red curtains pulled back to reveal a wide angle shot of bright white snow, and endless blue sky.
As the movie progresses, you’re introduced to three main characters,
Dr Natalie Robinson an Antarctic oceanographer who leads a world-first research expedition to McMurdo Sound.
Jacqui Stuart, a microbiologist and algae researcher on her first trip to Antarctica and Professor Patricia (Pat) Langhorne an emeritus professor and veteran sea ice physicist.
There are themes of connection, scale, legacy and duality with contrasts such as grief -joy, stillness – wildness, nature – industry, past and present.
Groups of orange people, black and white penguins, opaque algae and microbes, which in some of Langhorne’s photos look like Buddhist mandalas; gave a feeling of interconnectedness.
Photography by Adam Jones and Wells which included underwater shots taken with a GoPro and Boxfish drone added a feeling of mystery, and Emma Smart’s editing gave the film good rhythm.
Cameos from Jacinda Ardern and a curious seal named Walter who surfaces to breathe inside a hydro hole, brought some lighter moments to the film.
Mighty Indeed, a song written and performed by Jacqui Stuart ends the film and shows that she has many talents.
A film that is thought provoking and has beautiful imagery.
Wells said her next story may be about,
” Salmon being repatriated from Aotearoa to the McCloud River in California.”
